NFL Hall of Famer and ESPN personality Shannon Sharpe has officially closed the book on the high-profile sexual assault lawsuit filed against him, following a confidential settlement reached last Friday.
While both parties declined to publicly disclose the details, reports say the settlement figure may have reached $50 million. The case was also dismissed with prejudice — meaning it cannot be reopened in the future. Some insiders suggest the final number might’ve far exceeded the $10 million offer Sharpe allegedly made earlier to avoid going to trial.
The woman behind the lawsuit, 20-year-old OnlyFans creator Gabriella Zuniga — initially referred to as “Jane Doe” — confirmed after the settlement that she’s stepping away from the content platform altogether.
That move sparked speculation from pundits. On Monday’s episode of Fearless, Jason Whitlock posed the question, “Does that mean she got a hell of a settlement?”
Co-host Steve Kim didn’t shy away from offering his take.
“I would still say eight figures, but I’ve got to give Miss Zuniga credit like all the great ones like Jordan. She left on top of her game. She didn’t leave when she put on 30 pounds.”
He added with a nod to MJ’s career arc:
“Now the question is, is this Jordan in ‘93 where it’s just a short little hiatus, plays a little minor league baseball, you know, really works on her Twitter following and Instagram and then comes back, or is it Michael Jordan of ‘98?”
The settlement now clears the path for Sharpe to return to ESPN, as Kim hinted and Whitlock agreed.
Though it may have cost Sharpe a hefty amount, Whitlock noted he’ll likely recover with continued appearances alongside Stephen A. Smith on First Take.
The Lawsuit That Rocked Shannon Sharpe’s Offseason
Filed on April 20 by The Buzbee Law Firm, the lawsuit accused Shannon Sharpe of sexual misconduct, emotional abuse, and recording intimate encounters without consent.
Zuniga claimed that the 56-year-old broadcaster threatened to kill her, frequently controlled and intimidated her, and allegedly warned he’d “brutally choke her and violently slap her.”
Her legal team even released audio clips, including one where Sharpe was heard saying he would “f–king choke the s–t out” of her. His reps countered that their relationship was entirely consensual, involving fantasy and role-play.
Sharpe had stepped away from ESPN during the legal battle, but with the case now dismissed, he’s expected to return in time for the NFL preseason.
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