Importance Score: 72 / 100 🔴
An audio recording released by an attorney representing the alleged victim in a lawsuit against Shannon Sharpe purportedly captures the former NFL star threatening the woman. The woman is currently suing Sharpe for $50 million, alleging rape. In the disturbing audio provided to DailyMail.com by the plaintiff’s counsel, Sharpe is reportedly heard making threatening remarks.
Details from the Audio Recording
In the recording, Sharpe, aged 56, is allegedly heard addressing the woman, identified in her legal complaint only as ‘Jane Doe.’ The alleged threat involves choking her.
“… I’m gonna f***ing choke the s*** out of you when I see you,” the voice attributed to Sharpe says in the recording.
Legal representatives for both Shannon Sharpe and ESPN, where Sharpe frequently appears on the program ‘First Take,’ have been contacted for comment regarding the recording and the ongoing legal proceedings.
Shannon Sharpe’s Defense and Plaintiff’s Response
Sharpe has categorically denied the rape accusations brought by his former girlfriend, who is reportedly in her twenties. Through his legal representative, Lanny J. Davis, Sharpe has asserted that the relationship was consensual and has counterclaimed that the lawsuit is an attempt to extort a substantial financial settlement.
In a public statement released Monday, Sharpe’s attorney named the accuser and included excerpts from sexually explicit text messages he claimed she sent to Sharpe. This move prompted a swift response from the plaintiff’s attorney, Tony Buzbee.
Allegations by the Plaintiff’s Counsel
On Tuesday, Buzbee issued a statement refuting Davis’s claims. Buzbee accused Davis of misrepresenting the accuser and her text messages. Furthermore, Buzbee alleged the existence of a “damning video” that, according to him, would “speak volumes about Mr. Sharp and his behavior.”
Buzbee also claimed that Sharpe had previously offered his client a “hefty sum” to resolve the case out of court, an offer the plaintiff reportedly declined before filing formal legal action.
Prior Settlement Negotiations Claimed
According to Buzbee’s statement, his office reached out to Mr. Sharpe’s representatives on behalf of Jane Doe in early February to discuss a potential meeting. Multiple conversations reportedly followed, culminating in a mediation process that spanned over six weeks. During this mediation, Buzbee asserts that Sharpe, represented by different legal counsel at that time, made a significant settlement offer, which Jane Doe ultimately rejected, leading her to file the lawsuit the previous night.
Excerpts from the Recording
The recording provided by Buzbee’s office is presented as a conversation between Sharpe and his alleged accuser. The lawsuit claims their relationship began in late 2023 when the plaintiff was 20 years old.
Transcription fragments from the recording include:
- Male voice (attributed to Sharpe): “You want to be a dick to me now, so…”
- Female voice: “I don’t want to be… Don’t manipulate me!”
- Male voice: “If you say that word one more time, I’m gonna f***ing choke the s*** out of you when I see you.”
- [Long pause]
- Male voice: “Thank you.”
- [Even longer pause]
- Female voice: “I don’t want to be choked.”
- Male voice: “Yes you do. I don’t think you have a choice in the matter.”