Former NFL Player Shannon Sharpe Rape Lawsuit – 4 Things to Watch

Former NFL player Shannon Sharpe has been sued for $50 million by an ex-girlfriend in Nevada state court. Here are four things we are watching as the case progresses.

1. Consent and Power Dynamics – The woman “Jane Doe” says she was in a “rocky consensual relationship” with Shannon Sharpe. They met at a Los Angeles gym in 2023 when she was 19 and alleges Sharpe, who is currently 56 years old, sexually assaulted her twice, once in October 2024 and again in January 2025. The age disparity is quite vast: nearly 35 years between the two. Some may say that she was legally an adult at 19 so she was capable of making adult decisions. Others may say that despite legally being an adult, she was still a teenager and there was an imbalance of power, especially because he is a famous personality and former athlete. “After many months of manipulating and controlling Plaintiff — a woman more than thirty years younger than he — and repeatedly threatening to brutally choke and violently slap her, Sharpe refused to accept the answer no and raped Plaintiff, despite her sobbing and repeated screams of ‘no,'” the complaint alleges.
2. Shakedown or Legitimate: Sharpe’s lawyer, Lanny Davis, says this is just a shakedown. But the woman says, “What had once been manipulation, control and intimidation now became something far more dangerous and sinister. Sharpe even figured out how to get into Doe’s apartment complex without her permission.” These allegations paint a picture of a violent, controlling man. Others may argue, if he was so violent and scary, why didn’t she call the police?
3. Victim Smearing: Sharpe’s lawyer issued a statement: “Mr. Sharpe categorically denies all allegations of coercion or misconduct — especially the gross lie of ‘rape’ — and will not submit to what he sees as an egregious attempt at blackmail.” This is a common tactic of defense lawyers, early on, to scare the victim out of proceeding further or to taint the jury pool. Also, the statement reveals potential pre-suit communications where her lawyers most likely sent a demand letter where they threatened to file suit, and Sharpe refused to settle the matter. If you are a victim, expect to be smeared, but do not let that tactic scare you away from standing up for yourself.
4. Evidence: It’s always important to preserve text messages, videos, receipts, pictures, really anything that you may need to help you prove your case. Text messages are already being shared in the public, as a way to sway public opinion.

Tamara Holder Law is an international women’s rights firm, based in Chicago, Illinois, that represents women in lawsuits that encompass various forms of sexual abuse including: trafficking, doctor-patient misconduct, fraternity rape, and workplace sexual harassment and relationships that involve coercive control and abuse.

You may contact us at any time: intake@tamaraholder.com or 312-440-9000.