ESPN cuts ties with Shannon Sharpe following settlement of sexual assault lawsuit, AP source says

Hall of Fame tight end-turned-broadcaster Shannon Sharpe will not return to ESPN a person with knowledge of the decision described The Associated Press on Wednesday The decision comes less than two weeks after Sharpe resolved a lawsuit that accused him of sexually assaulting a woman during their relationship The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been declared Sharpe s last appearance on ESPN was in late April when the lawsuit was filed in Nevada No details of the settlement were issued The lawsuit had sought million The -year-old Sharpe called the accusations false and disruptive at the time they were levied and hoped to return in time for the NFL season Instead ESPN opted to move on from the brash four-time All-Pro tight end who won three Super Bowls during his -year career two of which came with the Denver Broncos Related Articles Broncos half-priced tickets Here s when and how you can buy them Broncos Marvin Mims Jr poised for breakout but young WR core is squeezed for touches Keeler Broncos Courtland Sutton says he left money on table to keep roster intact It wasn t about me Broncos podcast Courtland Sutton secures extension and early training camp observations Broncos camp overview A dominant defensive day and a wow moment from RB RJ Harvey Sharpe retired as the NFL s all-time leader among tight ends in receptions yards receiving and touchdowns Those records have been broken Sharpe has been a staple on TV and social media since retiring He left FS s sports debate show Undisputed in and joined ESPN soon afterward He served as a panelist on the framework s morning show First Take AP NFL https apnews com NFL Want more Broncos news Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis