Stephen A. Smith has finally broken his silence on the intense legal controversy surrounding his First Take co-host, Shannon Sharpe.
On a recent episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, the ESPN veteran addressed the explosive lawsuit filed against Sharpe, and specifically commented on the controversial decision to leak explicit text messages between Sharpe and his accuser.
“They revealed some of those explicit text messages. That was uncomfortable,” Smith admitted. “I don’t know if that’s a strategy that would work.”
He also shared a broader perspective on dealing with high-profile legal battles, suggesting silence is often the best approach.
“One of the hardest things in the world for all of us to do is to just lay low and be quiet and let our legal team do it,” Smith added.
Sharpe Denies Allegations, Calls Accusations a Setup
Shannon Sharpe has vehemently denied all allegations made against him. According to a $50 million lawsuit filed on April 22, Sharpe is accused of sexual assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, stemming from what is described as a “rocky consensual relationship” lasting nearly two years.
Speaking on his own behalf, Sharpe released a video statement in which he claimed the accusations were orchestrated as a deliberate setup.
“I’m gonna be open, transparent, and defend myself because this isn’t right,” Sharpe said. “This is all being orchestrated by Tony Buzbee, who has targeted Jay-Z. Tony Buzbee targets Black men.”
Sharpe went further, alleging that Buzbee and the accuser—identified as Gabby, also known as Carly on OnlyFans—intend to release a sex tape to damage his reputation.
“Gabby and Tony Buzbee want $50 million,” Sharpe claimed. “What they’re getting is sued for defamation and trying to take me down.”
Smith Offers Support but Cautions Against Public Legal Battles
Despite the uncomfortable nature of the case, Smith clarified that he’s spoken directly with Sharpe and that his co-host remains adamant about his innocence.
“I can tell you all that I spoke to Shannon and he emphatically proclaims his innocence,” Smith said.
The situation continues to unfold, and while Sharpe gears up for a fierce legal battle, Smith’s remarks reflect a tone of cautious support combined with professional restraint.
