Shannon Sharpe was in the midst of a mediation with the woman who accused him of rape when she filed a civil lawsuit against him “without warning,” according to his lawyer, Lanny J. Davis.
In a virtual press conference addressing the matter Tuesday, Davis said his client was willing to pay the plaintiff “at least $10 million” in a settlement for her silence.
“It was a big surprise to us a few days ago when this case was filed,” Davis said.
Davis played a recording of Sharpe’s statement he released on Instagram, calling it “a shakedown” by his accuser and denied the allegations against his client.
Davis also said Sharpe’s accuser “took advantage” of his “very lucrative” contract for his “Club Shay Shay” podcast that was recently reported.
Sharpe was sued a day before Front Office Sports reported that he is expected to sign a deal for his “Club Shay Shay” podcast that would exceed $100 million after his contract with Colin Cowherd’s The Volume podcast network expired recently.
“Her knowledge that Mr. Sharpe’s about to receive a very lucrative contract,” Davis said. “She knew that took advantage of it and I describe this in my opinion that this is a classic definition of blackmail. That gives the greatest leverage to blackmail.”
Sharpe denied all allegations of coercion or misconduct in a statement through his counsel to The Post on Monday.
The ESPN personality did name his accuser in text message documents in a separate post on X.
In her complaint, “Jane Doe” alleges Sharpe committed assault, 𝑠e𝑥ual assault, battery, 𝑠e𝑥ual battery, and engaged in the intentional infliction of emotional distress during a “rocky consensual relationship” that lasted nearly two years.
The plaintiff, who is more than thirty years younger than him, alleges Sharpe brutally 𝑠e𝑥ually assaulted her several times at the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025.
During his Tuesday press conference, Davis said his client’s accuser is on OnlyFans — a subscription-based social media platform, where users can sell and/or purchase original content.
“What she does on OnlyFans was for money and role playing and virtual fantasy with money who pay her. It was a fact that the plaintiff started to charge Mr. Sharpe money. This is who she is by the facts. I’m just describing that she’s on OnlyFans and charges people money to do roleplaying.”
After the press conference, Davis released hundreds of alleged text messages between Sharpe and the plaintiff, which included messages about 𝑠e𝑥ual acts and money.
Davis added that there will be a counterclaim and that “Jane Doe” “will be held accountable for a willful and vicious accusation.”
The woman is represented by Tony Buzbee, who represented more than 20 women who sued Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, beginning in early 2021, alleging 𝑠e𝑥ual assault and misconduct.
Later on Tuesday, Buzbee confirmed that his client turned down $10 million from Sharpe in order to proceed with litigation.
“On the one hand Mr. Sharpe and his lawyers claim that the case filed by Jane Doe is meritless, yet on the other hand they now have disclosed that Mr. Sharpe offered Jane Doe $10 million in writing not to file her lawsuit,” Buzbee wrote on Instagram. “That is a true statement. Jane Doe was in fact offered $10 million to settle but rejected that offer, choosing instead to proceed with litigation.
“Sharpe’s team is now trying to discredit and dox her. Sharpe and his team are now, as anticipated, also attacking me. We are not going to be deterred by these tactics.”