


Sports commentator Shannon Sharpe spoke about his termination from ESPN as something he was “at peace with.”
Sharpe, 57, signed a multi-year contract with ESPN last year, but hadn’t appeared on the network since April as he faced a lawsuit accusing him of rape. Tony Buzbee, attorney for Sharpe’s anonymous accuser, announced earlier this month that Sharpe had settled the lawsuit.
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“Both sides acknowledge a long-term consensual and tumultuous relationship,” Buzbee wrote. “After protracted and respectful negotiations, I’m pleased to announce that we have reached a mutually agreed upon resolution. All matters have now been addressed satisfactorily, and the matter is closed.”
Sharpe confirmed reports that he would not be returning to ESPN Wednesday on his Nightcap podcast.
“I really enjoyed my time at ESPN. It gave me an opportunity to bring my audience that saw me really just grow,” Sharpe said.
In addition to the Nightcap podcast, Sharpe hosts Club Shay Shay.
Last October, Sharpe interviewed Vice President Kamala Harris on his podcast during her presidential campaign. These podcasts came after Sharpe’s career in sports broadcasting on CBS and Fox News, but it was only after he started the podcasts that ESPN offered him a job.
“So I’m very very grateful for that, but I just wished of all things, like I said, hey, they did what they felt needed to do and I’m at peace with that, but I wish, guys, this thing could have waited until Monday.”
Sharpe was referring to his older brother Sterling Sharpe’s induction into the Football Hall of Fame. The eldest Sharpe is in a class of four other players this year, and is slated to be enshrined on Sunday. Meanwhile, the younger Sharpe, who was inducted into Hall of Fame in 2011, apologized to his brother that he “upstaged” him.
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“Because I hate the fact that I’m overshadowing my brother,” Sharpe said. “The first two brothers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and this is going to be the headline for the next couple of days.”
Neither Sharpe nor Buzbee revealed details of the settlement. The lawsuit was initially seeking $50 million.