EXCLUSIVE: Shannon Sharpe’s Attorney Speaks Out Amid Rape Allegations

Shannon Sharpe’s attorney addressed the bombshell allegations made against the former NFL star in an exclusive interview Tuesday with the Daily Caller.

A woman identified as Jane Doe filed a $50 million lawsuit on Sunday accusing Sharpe of multiple instances of sexual assault between late 2024 and early 2025. Sharpe addressed the allegations publicly Tuesday through an Instagram video, referring to the lawsuit as a “shakedown.” He claimed that the accuser’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, intends to release an edited sex tape.

“I believe he’s going to release a 30-second clip of a sex tape that tries to make me look guilty and play into every stereotype you could possibly imagine,” Sharpe said.

Sharpe’s attorney, Lanny J. Davis, addressed the allegations in an exclusive interview with the Daily Caller. He alleged that the video is “out of context” and Sharpe was “set up.” Sharpe’s representatives shared explicit text messages and images reportedly exchanged between Sharpe and the alleged victim in which she seemingly details and requests various sex acts that depict domination and role play.

Davis told the Caller that during the encounter that was allegedly captured in a sex tape, Doe and Sharpe engaged in consensual sex that included the type of intimate activity depicted in the text messages. He alleged that at one point, Doe briefly interrupted by saying “no, no, no.”  Davis claimed Sharpe immediately stopped at which point Doe requested that he retrieve a “substance” from her dresser drawer, Sharpe obliged, and Doe proceeded with the sex act.

Davis told the Caller Buzbee’s version of the sex tape did not accurately depict the series of events that transpired. He claimed his requests for the tape to be assessed for authenticity were declined by Buzbee.

“If it wasn’t edited, why would they say no,” he told the Caller.

Sharpe addressed the matter head-on in his Instagram video.

“I’m gonna be open, transparent and defend myself because this isn’t right. This is all being orchestrated by Tony Buzbee, who has targeted Jay-Z,” he alleged.

“That video should actually be 10 minutes or so,” he said.

Addressing Buzbee directly, Sharpe said, “Instead of releasing your edit, put the whole video out. I don’t have it, or I would myself. You know what happened and you’re trying to manipulate the media. The encounter in question took place during the day at her invitation, and now that appears to be a deliberate setup.”

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 05: Former NFL player Shannon Sharpe is seen on the set of The NFL Network along Radio Row on February 05, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Davis told the Daily Caller that Sharpe offered Doe a settlement worth “tens of millions,” with the help of a mediator, before the matter when public. He claimed the two parties seemed to be in the midst of finalizing the proposal when she “suddenly without warning walked away” from the offer. (RELATED: REPORT: Alleged Rape Victim Sues Shannon Sharpe For $50 Million)

“We’ve got the facts, we’ve got proof,” Davis told the Daily Caller. He described Sharpe as “a truly great man, a sincere man, a good hearted man,” and intends to file a counter claim.

Daily Caller reached out to Buzbee but has not heard back.