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Former NFL Star Accused in Nevada Civil Case
Shannon Sharpe, the former NFL tight end and host of the Club Shay Shay podcast, is facing a $50 million civil lawsuit filed by his ex-girlfriend Gabriella Zuniga.
The case, which was submitted in a Nevada state court, includes serious accusations involving sexual assault, physical abuse, and unauthorized sharing of intimate videos.
Who Filed the Lawsuit?
The complaint was brought forward by Gabriella Zuniga, who was previously identified as Jane Doe in court documents.
Zuniga says she met Sharpe at a gym in 2023, when she was 19 years old. Their relationship began consensually but, according to her, eventually turned abusive.
Key Allegations in the Complaint
Zuniga's lawsuit outlines several incidents:
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October 2024 & January 2025: She alleges she was sexually assaulted by Sharpe on two separate occasions.
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September 2024: She claims Sharpe appeared to be engaged in sexual activity during an Instagram Live session, and she was not the woman involved. Zuniga says this incident left her feeling humiliated.
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Unauthorized Sharing: She also accuses Sharpe of sharing intimate videos without her consent.
Shannon Sharpe’s Response
Sharpe, through his attorney Lanny J. Davis, has denied all allegations. In a public statement, Davis described the lawsuit as:
“A blatant and cynical attempt to shake down Mr. Sharpe for millions of dollars.”
The legal team claims the accusations are completely false and are intended to damage Sharpe’s public image and reputation.
Text Messages and Defense Strategy
In an effort to defend himself, Sharpe released several explicit text messages that he claims were sent by Zuniga. These messages, according to his team, included:
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References to consensual sexual role-play
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Mentions of financial arrangements
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A manipulated video, which his team says misrepresents their interactions
His legal team believes these texts support their argument that the relationship was consensual and that the lawsuit lacks merit.
Who Is Representing Gabriella Zuniga?
Zuniga is represented by well-known attorney Tony Buzbee. He has previously handled high-profile cases involving music industry figures like Sean "Diddy" Combs and Jay-Z.
Is This a Criminal Case?
No. As of now, no criminal charges have been filed against Shannon Sharpe. The matter remains a civil case, and both parties appear ready to present their arguments in court and to the public.
