First Hearing For Shannon Sharpe Case Takes Bizarre Turn originally appeared on The Spun.
Wednesday marked the first hearing in the lawsuit against Hall of Fame tight end and sports media personality Shannon Sharpe. But things immediately took a bizarre turn in court.
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According to KLAS in Las Vegas, Nevada, no attorney showed up on behalf of the plaintiff during the hearing. Clark County District Court Judge Anna Albertson reported expressed “disappointment” that the plaintiff had no legal representation at the start of the hearing.
Sharpe, on the other hand, was represented by attorney Robert DeMarco. Sharpe’s attorney asked the judge to review the progress of the case and extended it by 45 days.
The request was granted. Their next hearing in district court is set for September 3.
The plaintiff in the case is suing Sharpe for $50 million on charges of sexual assault and battery. She has previously been represented by Tony Buzbee, a celebrity attorney best known in NFL circles for representing some of the women who accused quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual misconduct during his time with the Houston Texans.
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It’s not clear what’s going on and why Buzbee or his associates couldn’t show up to the hearing on the plaintiff’s behalf.
Buzbee was recently in the news for having a lawsuit against him by Jay-Z thrown out and was on social media as recently as two days ago.
Attorney Tony Buzbee, who will defend Attorney General Ken Paxton in his impeachment trial, speaks at a news conference at the Travis County Republican Party Headquarters on Wednesday June 7, 2023. (Via OlyDrop)© Jay Janner / American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Sharpe has vehemently denied the allegations that Buzbee’s client has levied against him. In a statement he previously released, Sharpe’s team called the lawsuit “a blatant and cynical attempt to shake down Mr. Sharpe for millions of dollars” and has pledged to fight it.
“This lawsuit, filed by Gabriella Zuniga and orchestrated by her attorney Tony Buzbee, is a blatant and cynical attempt to shake down Mr. Sharpe for millions of dollars,” the statement reads. “It is filled with lies, distortions, and misrepresentations — and it will not succeed.”
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In a legal statement shared by the team of attorney Lanny J. Davis, Sharpe denied “all allegations of coercion or misconduct.”
“Mr. Sharpe categorically denies all allegations of coercion or misconduct — especially the gross lie of ‘rape’ — and will not submit to what he sees as an egregious attempt at blackmail,” the statement reads. “He stands firmly by the truth and is prepared to fight these false claims vigorously in court. He looks forward to vindication through due process and a judgment based on the facts and the law.”
It’s hard to exactly call this first hearing a “win” for Sharpe, though any issues that the presiding judge may have with the plaintiff could be to his benefit in the long run.
Related: ESPN Makes Decision On Shannon Sharpe Amid Lawsuit
First Hearing For Shannon Sharpe Case Takes Bizarre Turn first appeared on The Spun on Jul 11, 2025
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This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 11, 2025, where it first appeared.