Former ESPN employees are calling out the network’s blatant double standard as Shannon Sharpe remains on air despite a $50 million rape lawsuit and shocking past choking allegations.
At a Glance
- Shannon Sharpe faces a $50 million lawsuit from “Jane Doe” accusing him of rape and assault
- Former ESPN personalities Sage Steele and Ashley Brewer-Kaminsky blast the network’s hypocrisy in handling the case
- Steele claims ESPN considers “conservative viewpoints more offensive than questionable character”
- Additional allegations surfaced that Sharpe choked a female production assistant at FS1, reportedly settling for hundreds of thousands
- Despite serious accusations, Sharpe continues appearing on ESPN’s “First Take” with minimal corporate response
ESPN’s Selective Outrage Exposed
When you’re a liberal sports commentator accused of rape and choking women, apparently ESPN rolls out the red carpet while you fight the allegations. Shannon Sharpe, who joined ESPN last year after leaving FS1’s “Undisputed,” now faces a staggering $50 million lawsuit filed by a woman identified only as “Jane Doe.” The lawsuit alleges Sharpe committed multiple sexual assaults during what his lawyers describe as a “rocky consensual relationship.” But instead of suspending Sharpe pending investigation, ESPN has allowed him to continue appearing on “First Take” and his lucrative podcast platforms.
Former ESPN anchor Sage Steele didn’t mince words about the network’s handling of the situation, pointing to what she describes as “a long list of examples where ESPN and Disney considered conservative viewpoints more offensive than questionable character.” This glaring double standard hasn’t gone unnoticed by other former ESPN employees either, who’ve watched colleagues get reprimanded or shown the door for far less serious offenses – particularly those with conservative leanings.
A Pattern of Protecting the “Right” Talent
The hypocrisy becomes even more apparent when examining how swiftly ESPN has acted against employees with conservative viewpoints. Ashley Brewer-Kaminsky, another former ESPN personality, revealed she was once reprimanded simply for posting a photo with a Republican congressman. Meanwhile, Steele herself departed the network in August 2023 after settling a lawsuit related to comments about the company’s COVID-19 vaccine policy. The message seems clear: questioning liberal orthodoxy is a fireable offense, but facing rape allegations? That’s apparently just fine.
“a long list of examples where ESPN and Disney considered conservative viewpoints more offensive than questionable character.” – Sage Steele.
Stephen A. Smith, who recruited Sharpe to ESPN, has attempted to address the controversy without actually taking a stand. In typical corporate-speak, Smith noted that ESPN is “taking this matter very seriously” and “looking into this very, very closely.” He also conveyed Sharpe’s denial, stating the former NFL tight end was “emphatic in stating his innocence that this is a shakedown.” Convenient timing indeed, as the lawsuit surfaced just before reports of Sharpe’s potential $100 million podcast deal.
More Disturbing Allegations Surface
As if the rape allegations weren’t disturbing enough, new accusations have emerged that paint an even more troubling picture of Sharpe’s past behavior. According to reports, Sharpe allegedly choked a female production assistant during his time as co-host on FS1’s “Undisputed” between 2016 and 2023. Though Sharpe’s representative denies any choking incident, characterizing the interaction as “playful,” sources claim he settled with the accuser for several hundred thousand dollars to keep the matter quiet.
“[Sharpe] was emphatic in stating his innocence that this is a shakedown.” – Stephen A. Smith.
The current rape lawsuit contains additional disturbing details, including audio clips allegedly featuring Sharpe threatening to “choke” the woman identified as Jane Doe. Sharpe’s lawyers have attempted to explain away these threats as “role-playing” and “fantasy” within a consensual relationship – an explanation that strains credulity given the pattern of similar accusations now emerging. After initially staying on air, Sharpe has announced a temporary leave from ESPN to address the allegations, conveniently planning to return at the start of the NFL preseason.
The Woke Double Standard
ESPN’s handling of the Sharpe situation perfectly encapsulates the double standard that’s infected our media institutions. While the network demands ideological purity and routinely punishes conservative thought among its employees, it appears willing to look the other way when serious criminal allegations emerge against those with the right political alignment. This selective enforcement of standards isn’t just hypocritical – it’s downright dangerous, sending the message that certain behaviors will be tolerated as long as you repeat the approved talking points.
This is yet another example of the ideological capture of our major institutions, where political viewpoints are punished more severely than alleged criminal behavior. Until networks like ESPN apply consistent standards regardless of political affiliation, they deserve every bit of criticism former employees like Steele and Brewer-Kaminsky are dishing out. American viewers aren’t blind to this blatant hypocrisy, and ESPN’s ratings will likely reflect that awareness sooner rather than later.
