Gabriella Zuniga Sent These Graphic Texts to Shannon Sharpe Before Filing $50 Million Lawsuit

On Sunday, April 20, 2025, NFL Hall of Famer and media personality Shannon Sharpe found himself at the center of a legal storm when a woman, identified as “Jane Doe” in court documents, filed a $50 million civil lawsuit against him in Nevada. The lawsuit accuses Sharpe of serious allegations, including assault, sexual assault, battery, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. However, Sharpe and his legal team, led by attorney Lanny J. Davis, have come out swinging, labeling the lawsuit as a “blatant and cynical attempt to shake down Mr. Sharpe for millions of dollars.” Here’s a deep dive into the statement from Sharpe’s lawyer and the context surrounding this high-profile case.

The Allegations Against Shannon Sharpe

The plaintiff, later named by Sharpe’s legal team as Gabriella Zuniga, alleges that she was in a “rocky consensual relationship” with Sharpe for nearly two years, beginning in 2023 when she was 19 and Sharpe was 56. According to the 13-page complaint, filed by high-profile attorney Tony Buzbee, Sharpe allegedly sexually assaulted Zuniga multiple times, including incidents in October 2024 and January 2025. The lawsuit claims Sharpe ignored her requests to stop, recorded their sexual encounters without consent, and shared those recordings with others. Additionally, the plaintiff alleges Sharpe became violent, threatened to kill her, and demanded “complete control” over her schedule and body.

The timing of the lawsuit is notable, as Sharpe is reportedly on the verge of signing a lucrative $100 million deal for his popular Club Shay Shay podcast, following the end of his contract with Colin Cowherd’s The Volume network. The plaintiff is seeking at least $50 million in damages, with the potential for a higher award depending on the trial’s outcome.

Sharpe’s Lawyer Responds: “A Blatant Attempt at Blackmail”

In a fiery statement released on April 21, 2025, Sharpe’s attorney, Lanny J. Davis, categorically denied the allegations, calling the lawsuit an “egregious attempt at blackmail” orchestrated by Buzbee. Davis’s statement paints a starkly different picture of the relationship between Sharpe and Zuniga, asserting that it was consensual and involved mutual engagement, including sexual roleplay. To bolster their defense, Sharpe’s team released graphic text messages allegedly sent by Zuniga to Sharpe, which they claim demonstrate the consensual nature of their interactions.

Davis further alleges that Zuniga secretly recorded a video of an intimate encounter, which was “heavily edited and taken entirely out of context” to portray the encounter as non-consensual. According to Davis, Zuniga has refused to provide the full, unedited video to Sharpe’s legal team, despite requests. “The evidence paints a clear picture,” Davis stated, emphasizing that Sharpe “categorically denies all allegations of coercion or misconduct — especially the gross lie of ‘rape’ — and will not submit” to what he sees as extortion.

Sharpe, through his attorney, has vowed to “fight these false claims vigorously in court.” Davis’s statement suggests that the case may hinge on the jury’s interpretation of the video evidence and the unedited version, which Sharpe’s team believes will exonerate him.

The Public Relations Strategy

In addition to the legal arguments, Sharpe’s team appears to be waging a public relations battle. By disclosing the explicit text messages allegedly sent by Zuniga, Davis aims to shape public perception and counter the narrative presented in the lawsuit. This move, while potentially effective in the court of public opinion, carries risks, as it could be seen as an attempt to shame or discredit the plaintiff.

The statement also takes aim at Tony Buzbee, the plaintiff’s attorney, who is known for representing clients in high-profile cases, including over 150 alleged victims of Sean “Diddy” Combs and 20 women accusing NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual misconduct. Davis accuses Buzbee of orchestrating the lawsuit to exploit Sharpe’s wealth and fame, further framing the case as a calculated “shake down.”

Context and Controversy

This isn’t the first time Sharpe has faced public scrutiny over his personal life. In September 2024, Sharpe accidentally live-streamed audio of a sexual encounter on Instagram, initially claiming he was hacked before admitting it was an error. While the woman involved in that incident is not the plaintiff in this lawsuit, the event sparked controversy and may be used by the plaintiff’s team to question Sharpe’s credibility.

The lawsuit also raises broader questions about power dynamics, consent, and accountability in relationships involving significant age and status disparities. The plaintiff’s complaint emphasizes that “a woman can say ‘yes’ to consensual sexual relations ninety-nine times, but when she says ‘no’ even once, that ‘no’ means no,” underscoring the importance of respecting boundaries regardless of prior consent.

What’s Next?

As the legal battle unfolds, both sides are preparing for a contentious fight. Sharpe’s team is banking on the unedited video and text messages to prove the relationship was consensual, while the plaintiff’s team, led by Buzbee, is likely to focus on the alleged pattern of manipulation, control, and violence described in the complaint. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for Sharpe’s career, reputation, and financial future, especially given the timing of his potential podcast deal.

For now, Sharpe remains a prominent figure on ESPN’s First Take and continues to host Club Shay Shay and Nightcap. However, the shadow of this lawsuit looms large, and public opinion for now is on Sharpe’s side.

Flip the pages for the WILD texts from Ms. Zuniga.

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