Shannon Sharpe lawsuit settlement: What does ‘dismissed with prejudice’ mean in sexual assault case?

The lawsuit against Shannon Sharpe, alleging sexual assault and battery, was dismissed with prejudice

Updated on: Jul 19, 2025, 24:17:00 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

The $50 million civil lawsuit against former NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe, filed in April 2025 in Clark County, Nevada, alleging sexual assault and battery, was dismissed with prejudice, attorney Tony Buzbee announced on Friday.

Former NFL football player and sports analyst Shannon Sharpe poses at a special screening (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

A woman, ‘Jane Doe’, sued Sharpe, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and ESPN First Take host, claiming he raped her twice in October 2024 and once in January 2025 during a two-year ‘rocky consensual relationship’ that began in 2023. She alleged non-consensual recording of sexual encounters and threats, seeking $50 million. Sharpe denied the claims, calling the lawsuit a ‘shakedown’.

Sharpe’s attorney, Lanny J Davis, revealed that a $10 million settlement offer was rejected before the lawsuit.

The plaintiff's attorney, Buzbee, revealed that the lawsuit has been settled.

“On April 20, 2025, The Buzbee Law Firm filed a complaint in Nevada making several allegations against Shannon Sharpe on behalf of our client. Both sides acknowledge a long-term consensual and tumultuous relationship. After protracted and respectful negotiations, I’m pleased to announce that we have reached a mutually agreed upon resolution. All matters have now been addressed satisfactorily, and the matter is closed. The lawsuit will thus be dismissed with prejudice,” the lawyer revealed on X, platform formerly known as Twitter.

What Does ‘Dismissed with Prejudice’ Mean?

In legal terms, “dismissed with prejudice” means the lawsuit is permanently closed, and the plaintiff cannot refile the same claims in the same court. It often indicates a final resolution, such as a settlement or court ruling, barring future litigation on the same issue.

The dismissal with prejudice in Sharpe's case suggests a settlement was reached, preventing the plaintiff from re-suing Sharpe for these allegations in Nevada. While settlement details are confidential, Buzbee’s statement implies both sides agreed to end the dispute.

Sharpe, 56, who stepped away from ESPN and postponed his Nightcap NSFW Tour amid the lawsuit, may resume his media career, including Club Shay Shay, with a potential $100 million podcast deal.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.