Sharpe Accuses Zuniga of Recording Sexual Encounter as “Blackmail”
Shannon Sharpe’s legal team has launched a bold counteroffensive against sexual assault allegations, claiming that his accuser, Gabriella Zuniga, secretly recorded their consensual sexual activities and then heavily edited the footage to make it appear non-consensual as part of an alleged blackmail attempt. This explosive allegation directly contradicts Zuniga’s $50 million lawsuit, which claims Sharpe was the one who recorded their intimate encounters without permission, according to Awful Announcing.
“In her effort to extract a large financial settlement, Ms. Zuniga presented Mr. Sharpe with a secretly recorded video of a consensual sexual encounter,” attorney Lanny J. Davis stated in a response posted to Sharpe’s social media accounts on Monday. The statement claims this recording was “heavily edited and taken entirely out of context” and “crafted to portray a consensual act as non-consensual.”
The competing claims about secret recordings represent one of the most contentious elements in a case that has rapidly escalated from a private dispute to a very public legal battle with significant implications for both parties’ reputations and careers.
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From Anonymous Plaintiff to Named Accuser
In an unusual move that has raised eyebrows among legal experts, Sharpe’s defense team chose to publicly identify Zuniga, who had initially filed the lawsuit anonymously as “Jane Doe” – a common practice in sexual assault cases to protect alleged victims’ privacy. By naming Zuniga in their public response, Sharpe’s team has effectively eliminated her anonymity in a case that’s drawn nationwide attention, according to NewsBreak.
This decision to publicly name an accuser represents an aggressive defense strategy that signals Sharpe’s team is preparing for a no-holds-barred legal fight. The statement characterizes the lawsuit as “a blatant and cynical attempt to shake down Mr. Sharpe for millions of dollars” and an “egregious attempt at blackmail.”
“Mr. Sharpe categorically denies all allegations of coercion or misconduct – especially the gross lie of ‘rape,'” Davis declared in the statement. “He stands firmly by the truth and is prepared to fight these false claims vigorously in court.”
Explicit Text Messages Form Core of Defense
Sharpe’s defense hinges significantly on alleged text messages from Zuniga that his legal team claims prove the consensual nature of their relationship. According to The Shade Room, these include a message from October 2023 requesting Sharpe use a “dog collar” during sexual activities, and another from January 2025 mentioning “$25k for each cheek” – messages his legal team is using to suggest financial motivation behind the lawsuit.
“To set the record straight, we are releasing several of Ms. Zuniga’s own explicit text messages to Mr. Sharpe that clearly indicate the nature of their relationship was consensual and sexual in nature – and, in many cases, initiated by her with specific and graphic requests,” Davis wrote.
The statement claims these texts represent “just a sampling of a broader pattern of graphic, sexual communications initiated by Ms. Zuniga” and that the relationship continued consensually until January 2, 2025, “the day after she asked for ‘$25,000 per cheek'” in the alleged text message.
Lawsuit Coincides With Major Contract Negotiations
The timing of the lawsuit has not escaped notice, coming just as Sharpe’s media career reaches new heights. Last week, reports emerged that Sharpe was expecting a $100 million windfall as he pursued a new contract for his popular “Club Shay Shay” and “Nightcap” podcasts, creating significant professional stakes alongside the personal and legal challenges presented by the lawsuit.
Despite the serious allegations, Sharpe maintained his professional commitments on Monday, appearing on ESPN’s “First Take” as regularly scheduled. The network has not yet issued any public comment regarding the allegations or how they might affect Sharpe’s role on their programming.
Dueling Attorneys With High-Profile Histories
The case brings together two high-profile attorneys with experience in contentious public legal battles. Zuniga is represented by Tony Buzbee, who previously represented multiple women in sexual misconduct claims against NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson. Sharpe has retained Lanny J. Davis, who has represented numerous political and celebrity clients in high-profile cases.
According to the lawsuit filed by Buzbee, Sharpe “demanded complete control over her time and body, expecting her to be at his house on his schedule, at his command, whenever he called.” This portrayal stands in stark contrast to the consensual relationship described in Davis’ statement.
As these dramatically different narratives collide in the public sphere, both the legal and public relations battles are just beginning. The case highlights the challenging intersection of private relationships, public figures, and the complex nature of establishing truth in situations where evidence often comes down to competing personal accounts of intimate encounters.
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