Shannon Sharpe Responds After Ex-Girlfriend Files $50 Million Sexual Assault Lawsuit April 22, 2025
Former NFL star and Club Shay Shay podcast host Shannon Sharpe is facing a $50 million civil lawsuit filed by his ex-girlfriend, Gabriella Zuniga, over allegations of sexual assault. The case, brought in Nevada, has sparked widespread media attention, prompting a strong public response from Sharpe’s legal team.
Zuniga—who was initially referred to as "Jane Doe" in legal filings—claims she met Sharpe at a gym in 2023 when she was 19 years old. According to her complaint, what began as a consensual relationship later turned abusive, involving coercion, sexual violence, and the unauthorized distribution of intimate videos.
The lawsuit details alleged incidents of rape in October 2024 and January 2025, along with a separate event in September 2024. Zuniga claims Sharpe was heard engaging in sexual activity during an Instagram Live session, asserting that she was not the woman involved and describing the experience as "humiliating."
In response, Sharpe has vehemently denied the allegations. His attorney, Lanny J. Davis, released a statement on social media calling the lawsuit “a blatant and cynical attempt to shake down Mr. Sharpe for millions of dollars.” Davis insists that the accusations are entirely false and intended to harm Sharpe’s reputation.
As part of his defense, Sharpe has made public a series of explicit text messages allegedly sent by Zuniga. These messages reportedly include references to sexual role-play and financial arrangements, which his legal team argues demonstrate that the relationship was consensual. They also claim that a video being cited as evidence has been manipulated.
Zuniga is represented by attorney Tony Buzbee, who is known for handling high-profile sexual misconduct cases, including lawsuits against Sean “Diddy” Combs and Jay-Z.
As of now, no criminal charges have been filed. The case remains a civil matter and is pending in Nevada state court. Both parties appear ready to take their fight to the courtroom—and the court of public opinion.
