ESPN has severed ties with Shannon Sharpe shortly after he settled a rape lawsuit with his ex-girlfriend. Sharpe, a former NFL star Pro Football Hall of Famer, had been a prominent figure on ESPN's "First Take" show, which he joined in August 2023.

Shannon Sharpe will not return to ESPN as a commentator on 'First Take.' A $50-million lawsuit accusing the former NFL star of rape was settled earlier this month.

The fallout from Shannon Sharpe’s turbulent year has apparently hit his wallet. During Sunday’s installment of the “Nightcap” podcast, the NFL Hall of Famer — who was fired by ESPN on Wednesday, weeks after settling a bombshell $50 million lawsuit that accused him of rape — pressed co-host Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson to pay him $5,