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Shannon Sharpe Steps Away From ESPN & Releases Statement

NFL legend and TV personality Shannon Sharpe announced Thursday that he’s stepping away from ESPN—for now. Sharpe, who’s been a regular face on First Take next to Stephen A. Smith,…

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 05: Former NFL player Shannon Sharpe is seen on the set of The NFL Network along Radio Row on February 05, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

NFL legend and TV personality Shannon Sharpe announced Thursday that he’s stepping away from ESPN—for now. Sharpe, who’s been a regular face on First Take next to Stephen A. Smith, is currently facing a $50 million civil lawsuit over serious accusations.

In a statement, Sharpe said the relationship at the center of the lawsuit was “100% consensual” and called the claims “false and disruptive.” He explained, “At this point, I’m choosing to step aside from my ESPN duties for a bit. I want to focus on my family and deal with this situation head-on. I plan to be back when the NFL preseason kicks off.”

Sharpe also thanked everyone who’s had his back, saying the support from his family, friends, and coworkers has meant a lot.

ESPN reportedly agreed with his decision, calling it a “serious situation.”

Sharpe had only been with First Take since August 2023, after leaving FS1’s Undisputed earlier that summer. He was supposed to be expanding his role at ESPN, but for now, he’ll be off the air completely.

Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it. She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel. A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community. She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.