In a major turn of events, Shannon Sharpe will not be returning to ESPN, as confirmed by The Athletic. This decision comes on the heels of Sharpe settling a sexual assault lawsuit filed by a former partner.

The lawsuit, which made headlines earlier this year, accused the 57-year-old Hall of Famer of sexual assault and battery. Sharpe, who had signed a lucrative multi-year contract with ESPN in 2024, has not appeared on-air since the lawsuit's filing in April.

At first, Sharpe dismissed the claims, labeling the lawsuit a ‘shakedown’ on Instagram, asserting that the attorney behind it was fixated on targeting Black men. He later took to social media again, asserting that his relationship with the plaintiff was '100% consensual,' but nonetheless chose to step away from his ESPN responsibilities temporarily to focus on addressing the allegations against him.

In a statement from April, he reassured fans that he planned on returning come NFL preseason. But with this recent news, those plans have now drastically changed.

Sharpe briefly addressed his departure on Wednesday night, requesting that supporters hold off on further discussions until Monday. This announcement coincides with NFL teams beginning their training camps and the first preseason game kicking off in Canton, Ohio.

The accuser, known as 'Jane Doe,' initially sought a staggering $50 million in damages, citing pain, suffering, and emotional distress among her grievances. While the attorney representing her confirmed the lawsuit was dismissed on July 18, details surrounding the settlement remain confidential.

Attorney Tony Buzbee expressed satisfaction with the resolution: 'After protracted and respectful negotiations, I’m pleased to announce that we have reached a mutually agreed-upon resolution. All matters have now been addressed satisfactorily, and the matter is closed.' Notably, since the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice, it prevents the accuser from re-filing similar charges in the future.

Before his recent controversies, Sharpe was a distinguished athlete, winning three Super Bowls and earning eight Pro Bowl selections. His charisma translated well into media, where he found fame debating on platforms like FS1's 'Undisputed' and later, ESPN's 'First Take,' where he frequently went head-to-head with Stephen A. Smith.

Despite his absence from ESPN, Sharpe has remained active in the podcast scene, including appearances alongside fellow NFL alum Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson on their joint show, 'Nightcap.' What this means for his future, however, remains uncertain in light of the recent developments.