Shannon Sharpe says he’s temporarily stepping aside from his role on ESPN’s “First Take” after the NFL legend and popular podcaster was slapped with a US$50 million lawsuit by an ex-girlfriend who accuses him of rape.

“My statement is found here and this is the truth. The relationship in question was 100% consensual,” Sharpe wrote in a post to his social media platforms on Thursday. “At this juncture I am electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties. I will be devoting this time to my family, and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me. I plan to return to ESPN at the start of the NFL pre-season.”

READ: Shannon Sharpe says he’s victim of ‘shakedown’ rape allegation, expects accuser to release sex tape

The Club Shay Shay podcast host allegedly met the complainant at a gym when she was 19 in 2023, before relentlessly pursuing her via calls and texts demanding her to visit him at his mansion.

The two ultimately were engaged in a “consensual rocky relationship” for two years, but she alleges several things occurred that she didn’t consent to, according to reports.

It is further alleged that Sharpe recorded the couple’s sexual activities without her knowledge, and also shared the videos with others without her permission or knowledge. According to reports, the complaint claims that she was not the woman with whom Sharpe was having sex when he “accidentally” livestreamed the encounter on Instagram.

However, the complainant reportedly alleged that the infamous incident was when she “began to pull away from Sharpe.” It is alleged that he relentlessly pursued her after she stopped answering her phone or sharing her whereabouts.

According to the reports, it was further alleged that Sharpe subsequently confronted the woman in October 2024, and the ensuing encounter culminated in alleged forcible sex against her consent.

It is reportedly alleged that another incident occurred in January 2025, when it is claimed that Sharpe engaged in unprotected sex with the plaintiff, despite her efforts to get him either to stop or to wear a condom.

Sharpe, one of the most successful podcasters in the world, was up to last week expected to sign a new deal exceeding US$100 million.

It is reported that Sharpe had been in mediation with his accuser and, according to his lawyer, was willing to pay at least US$10 million in a settlement before the complainant filed the civil lawsuit against him “without warning”.