Julia Beverly/Getty Images

There's Growing Talk Shannon Sharpe Is 'Done' At ESPN

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Jun 27, 2025 1:51 PM ET

Roughly two months ago, Shannon Sharpe announced that he was stepping away from his role at ESPN.

Sharpe, who appears on "First Take" with Stephen A. Smith, was accused of sexually assaulting a woman that he met in 2023. The Hall of Famer was allegedly "controlling" and "abusive" during their relationship. Shortly after this lawsuit was filed in Nevada civil court, he announced that he was taking a leave of absence.

"At this juncture I am electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties," Sharpe said in a statement. "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 preseason."

ESPN, on the other hand, had this to say about the allegations: "This is a serious situation, and we agree with Shannon's decision to step away."

With the NFL season slowly but surely approaching, Sharpe is expected to return to the spotlight.

Will Sharpe actually return to ESPN before the start of the NFL season? Some people aren't so sure.

Former ESPN host Dan Le Batard believes Sharpe's time with the Worldwide Leader In Sports is done.

"We probably all know at this point that Shannon Sharpe is not likely to ever work at ESPN again, right? I think we can reasonably assume Shannon Sharpe would like it to look like he has a chance to return," Le Batard said. "I don’t know if you can be Disney and allow any of what happened there."

According to OutKick, Sharpe's return to ESPN is "no guarantee." That would certainly back Le Batard's comments from earlier this week.

Sharpe's debate partner on "First Take" hasn't said anything lately about his future. His most recent comments came back in April.

"I know the brother tells me he’s innocent, I believe him," Smith said. "I know that he does not trust easy, and that honest conversations that he’s had with me he wouldn’t have with just anybody."

Only time will tell if ESPN allows Sharpe to return to "First Take."

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: