Shannon Sharpe Says ESPN Exit Overshadowed His Brother’s …
Shannon Sharpe has broken his silence following reports that ESPN parted ways with him after he settled a sexual assault lawsuit.
Sharpe addressed the news in a Wednesday episode of his Nightcap podcast. He explained that he wished the news had come out after the announcement of his brother, Sterling Sharpe, being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame earlier this week.
“Obviously, I’m sure everybody’s heard the news by now that I will not be returning to ESPN,” he said. “I found out this information a little earlier in the week and really the only thing that I really ask is like, guys, could we wait until Monday. My brother’s going into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I really wanted it to be about him and I wanted it to be about my family.”
He added: “I know this coming out will overshadow everything that he’s worked his entire life for. And unfortunately, you know, it didn’t happen that way.
Sharpe went on to explain that when he spoke to his bother, the two came to an understanding about the situation and that Sterling told him he didn’t have to apologize further for it. “And so, as I told him, as I profusely apologized to him earlier today, he said, bro, stop apologizing,” he said. “You don’t have to apologize. I’m your big bro. I’m gonna love you regardless. We all make mistakes. We all—and he says, bro, I love you. So I’m done with this. You’re done with it too. Move on.”
Sharpe went on to talk about his time at the sports network and how it shaped his career. “I really enjoyed my time at ESPN. It gave me an opportunity to bring my audience that saw me really just grow,” he said. “They saw me, you know, “Lakers in 5,” and they saw me say all these funny analogies that my grandparents gave me, and I was able to bring that to ESPN. So I’m very, very grateful for that.”
He continued: “But I just wished, of all things—like I said, they did what they felt they needed to do and I’m at peace with that. But I just wish, guys, I just wish this thing could have waited until Monday because I hate the fact that I’m overshadowing my brother.”
ESPN has reportedly parted ways with Shannon Sharpe just under two weeks after he settled a sexual assault lawsuit. According to The Athletic, Sharpe has been off the air since late April, when the lawsuit was first filed, and had previously stated plans to return for the NFL preseason.
The anonymous accuser, Jane Doe, sought $50 million in damages for emotional and psychological harm. No criminal charges were filed, and the case was settled.