In a quiet Los Angeles gym in 2023, a chance meeting between a 19-year-old aspiring model and a celebrated NFL Hall of Famer marked the beginning of a relationship that would spiral into a high-profile legal battle. Gabriella Zuniga, known on Instagram as sheiskarli and recognized for her work as an OnlyFans model, has filed a $50 million civil lawsuit against Shannon Sharpe, a former NFL star turned ESPN commentator and podcast host. The lawsuit, lodged in Nevada state court, paints a harrowing picture of a relationship that Zuniga alleges turned from consensual to controlling, abusive, and violent. The accusations, which include claims of sexual assault, battery, and emotional manipulation, have thrust Sharpe into a storm of controversy, challenging his public persona as a charismatic sports media figure.
Zuniga’s complaint details a relationship that began with flirtation and mutual interest. She claims Sharpe, then in his mid-50s, approached her with an offer to fund breast implants if she won a weight-loss challenge, a proposition that sparked their initial connection. Over time, however, Zuniga alleges that Sharpe’s demeanor shifted. According to her, he demanded control over her schedule and body, expecting her to be available at his command. The lawsuit describes a series of escalating incidents, including a threatening encounter where Sharpe allegedly grabbed her by the neck and warned, “If you ever do that again, I will f—king kill you,” after noticing her sharing her location with friends via her iPhone. Zuniga further accuses Sharpe of raping her twice—once in October 2024, while she was visibly distressed, and again in January 2025, under the pretense of delivering gifts. She also claims Sharpe recorded their sexual encounters without her consent and shared these recordings, adding to her emotional distress.
Sharpe, through his attorney Lanny J. Davis, has vehemently denied the allegations, framing the lawsuit as a calculated attempt to extort millions from him. In a public statement, Davis described the claims as “filled with lies, distortions, and misrepresentations” and released a series of explicit text messages allegedly sent by Zuniga to Sharpe. These messages, spanning from October 2023 to January 2025, include graphic sexual requests and references to financial demands, such as a text from January 1, 2025, where Zuniga purportedly wrote, “I know u miss this juicy a—…$25k for each cheek.” Sharpe’s legal team argues that these communications demonstrate a consensual relationship marked by mutual role-playing and fantasy scenarios, asserting that their last encounter on January 2, 2025, was voluntary. Davis has also highlighted a secretly recorded video presented by Zuniga, which he claims was heavily edited to misrepresent a consensual act as non-consensual, accusing her of orchestrating a blackmail scheme.
The lawsuit has drawn significant attention, amplified by Sharpe’s prominence as the host of the popular “Club Shay Shay” podcast and a regular on ESPN’s “First Take.” Despite the allegations, Sharpe has continued his professional engagements, including co-hosting his “Nightcap” podcast with Chad Ochocinco, though he has refrained from addressing the lawsuit directly on air. The case has sparked broader discussions about power dynamics in relationships, particularly given the significant age and status disparity between Zuniga and Sharpe. Public reactions are polarized, with some questioning the timing of the lawsuit—filed amid reports of Sharpe negotiating a $100 million deal for his podcast—while others emphasize the courage required to confront a high-profile figure.
Zuniga’s legal team, led by attorney Tony Buzbee, known for representing clients in high-profile sexual misconduct cases, remains steadfast. Buzbee has released an audio clip allegedly capturing Sharpe threatening to “choke” Zuniga during an argument, further escalating the public dispute. Meanwhile, Sharpe’s counsel revealed that they offered Zuniga a settlement of nearly $10 million before the lawsuit went public, an offer she declined, prompting Davis to express surprise at her decision to proceed with the suit.
As the case unfolds in Nevada’s courts, it remains a civil matter with no criminal charges filed. Both sides are preparing for a contentious legal battle, with Sharpe vowing to fight the allegations vigorously and Zuniga seeking accountability for the trauma she claims to have endured. The outcome will likely hinge on the credibility of the evidence presented, including text messages, recordings, and witness testimonies, as the public watches closely to see how this clash between a media titan and his accuser resolves. For now, the allegations have cast a shadow over Sharpe’s storied career, raising questions about trust, consent, and the complexities of relationships in the spotlight.