Shannon Sharpe has responded to the recent $50 million civil lawsuit filed against him in Nevada by a woman identified in court documents as Jane Doe. In a statement released through his attorney, Sharpe’s legal team named the plaintiff as Gabriella Zuniga and publicly shared a series of explicit text messages they say reflect the true nature of the relationship.
According to attorney Lanny J. Davis, who represents Sharpe, the messages reveal a consensual, adult relationship that involved sexual roleplay and mutual engagement. Davis claims that the accusations of assault and misconduct are false and part of what he described as “a blatant and cynical attempt to shake down Mr. Sharpe for millions of dollars.”
Included in the response were several sexually explicit texts allegedly sent from Zuniga to Sharpe, with messages referencing graphic fantasies and intimate encounters. One message, dated January 1, 2025, reads: “I know u miss this big juicy ass…$25k for each cheek.” Sharpe’s legal team says that consensual contact continued the very next day, contradicting the timeline described in the lawsuit.
The suit, filed Sunday, accuses Sharpe of sexual assault, battery, and emotional distress during their nearly two-year relationship. The plaintiff is represented by attorney Tony Buzbee, known for his work in other high-profile civil cases, including those involving NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson and music executive Sean “Diddy” Combs.
In addition to the texts, Davis claims Zuniga attempted to use a secretly recorded video of an intimate encounter as leverage, alleging that the video was edited to distort the nature of the encounter. Sharpe’s team states that the full, unedited video has not been turned over, despite requests.
“The evidence paints a clear picture,” Davis said in the statement. “This was a consensual relationship with mutual participation and communication. The false narrative being pushed by Ms. Zuniga does not match the documented facts.”
Sharpe has categorically denied all allegations, including claims of coercion and sexual assault, and plans to contest the case in court. “He will not submit to what he sees as an egregious attempt at blackmail,” Davis said.
