I will be devoting this time to my family, and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me. I plan to return to ESPN at the start of the NFL preseason.” - Shannon Sharpe.

Shannon Sharpe said he is stepping aside from ESPN role while 'dealing with these false and disruptive allegations.'

Sharpe has denied the allegations in the lawsuit and plans to launch a countersuit targeting the plaintiff and her lawyer, Tony Buzbee, who has attempted to sue other public figures such as Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs.