"Either Shannon got played": Was Shannon Sharpe set up? Marcellus Wiley questions $50M lawsuit timing

Shannon Sharpe, the former host of ESPN’s First Take and the NFL legend, has had a tough few days ever since a young woman accused him of sexually assaulting her in 2023. The young woman is using the pseudonym Jane Doe to remain anonymous in the media, has also accused Shannon Sharpe of “threatening” her. As Shannon Sharpe denies all the allegations made against him and claims it was nothing but a “consensual” relationship, former NFL star Marcellus Wiley claims it could be a “conspiracy”.

Is there a conspiracy behind involving Shannon Sharpe in a scandal? Marcellus Wiley opened up on it


Recently, Marcellus Wiley opened up about the Shannon Sharpe scandal on his YouTube channel. The former Pro Bowler said. “Something just ain’t right. With the timing of the settlement offer, the allegations, and even the temporary leave of absence… Either Shannon got played… Or, we, us, you and me, are getting played as well.”

Marcellus Wiley also spoke about a deal that Shannon Shape was closing that was worth a whopping $100 million and said, “Did she know that that deal was happening? Or she didn’t know? Because on Friday it was reported and on Sunday she filed… What happened between Friday and Sunday?”

While Shannon Sharpe has not reacted to what Marcellus Wiley has said yet, fans remain divided on this scandal.

Shannon sharpe got setup in an extortion plot by that girl and a lawyer… they knew when his contract was up… sharpe had 0 street smarts in the whole situation.. tricking off on a 20 y/o OF model

— Wells (@WellsFargo_) April 23, 2025

A fan took to X and posted, “Shannon sharpe got setup in an extortion plot by that girl and a lawyer… they knew when his contract was up… sharpe had 0 street smarts in the whole situation.. tricking off on a 20 y/o OF model”.


Another fan wrote, “I really have nothing for Shannon Sharpe. Even if the sexual assault part is some concerted effort to blackmail him, he was still a nearly 60 year old man involved with a girl who was maybe a year or 2 removed from high school.”


Shannon Sharpe is no longer a host on ESPN’s First Take after he was accused of sexual assault


At this point in time, Shannon Sharpe’s lawyers have released the texts exchanged between the NFL legend and the young woman. While the texts seem to show that the two were in a “consensual” relationship, Jane Doe’s lawyers have leaked phone call recordings which show that Shannon Sharpe “threatened” the young woman.


Jane Doe has sued the NFL legend for a whopping $50 million after she accused him of sexually assaulting her on multiple occasions. This had sent shockwaves across the league and Shannon Sharpe was forced to withdraw from his role as a co-host on ESPN’s First Take.


For now, the NFL legend, Shannon Sharpe, maintains that he is innocent and is continuing with his famous YouTube podcast, Club Shay Shay.


Also Read: “Ain’t no ladies checking for you”: Stephen A. Smith comments on scandal-free image amid Shannon Sharpe allegations gets him brutally trolled