Shannon Sharpe, the NFL Hall of Famer turned media personality, is at the center of a serious legal battle after a woman filed a civil lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault, battery, and emotional abuse. Filed Sunday in Nevada state court under the pseudonym "Jane Doe," the 13-page complaint outlines what the plaintiff describes as a traumatic relationship marked by manipulation, control, and non-consensual sex.

The lawsuit comes just days after headlines touted Sharpe’s pursuit of a potential nine-figure podcast deal.

According to the plaintiff, the two shared what she describes as a "rocky consensual relationship" over the course of nearly two years. However, she alleges that Sharpe repeatedly violated her trust — including secretly recording their sexual encounters and, without her knowledge or consent, sharing those recordings with others, according to TMZ.

One incident at the heart of the complaint involves a livestream Sharpe allegedly initiated on Instagram, during which he was seen engaging in sexual activity. The plaintiff claims she wasn’t the woman in the video but that the public nature of the clip prompted her to distance herself from Sharpe — a decision she says was met with escalating aggression and unwanted contact.

The complaint details an alleged confrontation in October 2024, after the woman had attempted to cut ties. She claims the encounter ended in Sharpe forcing her into non-consensual sex. A second incident, in January 2025, allegedly involved Sharpe refusing to stop or use protection during sex, despite the plaintiff’s explicit pleas.

Throughout the lawsuit, the woman accuses Sharpe of repeatedly threatening to choke and slap her, portraying a pattern of coercion and emotional abuse. "A woman can say ‘yes’... ninety-nine times," the complaint states, "but when she says ‘no’ even once, that ‘no’ means no." The filing further alleges that Sharpe, who is more than 30 years older than the plaintiff, exploited their age difference and used his influence to manipulate her throughout the relationship.

The lawsuit seeks a minimum of $50 million in damages.

The plaintiff is represented by attorneys Micah Nash and Tony Buzbee, the latter known for representing numerous women in the high-profile sexual misconduct cases against former NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, don't hesitate to get in touch with the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.