A previously unidentified woman filed a lawsuit against Shannon Sharpe that includes some serious allegations, and the Pro Football Hall of Famer is sharing his side of the situation.
A woman who claims she was in a sexual relationship with Sharpe filed a lawsuit in Nevada that claims Sharpe sexually assaulted her on multiple different occasions at the end of 2024 and beginning of 2025. The plaintiff says she was in an abusive relationship with Sharpe that began after the two met at a Los Angeles gym in 2023. The woman is seeking more than $50 million in damages.
Sharpe’s attorneys have since responded to the claims and identified the woman in question as Gabriella Zuniga, whom they say is trying to shake down and blackmail Sharpe.
Dirty Text Messages to Sharpe
Sharpe’s legal team has shared the contents of text messages they say Zuniga sent to Sharpe. Larry Brown Sports has edited the profanity that appeared in the original version of the messages.
“I want you to put a dog collar around my neck and choke me with it while you’re f–king me,” Zuniga wrote to Sharpe in an October 7, 2023 text message, according to Sharpe’s attorney.
“I know u (sic) miss this big juicy a– … $25k for each cheek,” Zuniga wrote to Sharpe in a text message on January 1, 2025, according to Sharpe’s attorney.
“You better crave it ur (sic) gonna be stuck with it 4 life after you put a big black baby in me,” Zuniga wrote in a text message to Sharpe on August 11, 2024.
“I wanna put my tongue in your a–hole and then marry u (sic),” Zuniga wrote to Sharpe in a text message on Nov. 23, 2023.
Sharpe’s legal argument
Sharpe’s legal team claims that the sexual text messages indicate the relationship between Sharpe and Zuniga “was consensual and sexual in nature.” They say the dirty talk was in many cases, “initiated by her with specific and graphic requests.”
Sharpe’s legal team termed Zuniga’s rape claim as a “lie.” They also say Zuniga produced a heavily edited video that she is using in a “blackmail” attempt.
Sharpe’s $100 million media deal
Zuniga’s lawsuit against Sharpe comes after a report stated he is on the verge of signing a media deal worth more than $100 million. The 56-year-old Sharpe was a Hall of Fame tight end during his NFL playing career. He currently appears on ESPN show “First Take” and hosts the popular “Club Shay Shay” podcast.
