Fact-check analysisVerified as of July 31, 2025Curated by FactVerify
Mostly True

Shannon Sharpe settled that $50 million lawsuit and got fired afterwards by ESPN. He once said “I don’t date my age, I date my wage” and look what that costed him. 🫨

Shannon Sharpe settled a $50 million sexual assault lawsuit and was subsequently parted ways with ESPN, but there is no verified evidence that he was fired specifically because of a quote about dating or that the quote caused his firing.

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Source: factverify.com

At a glance

Key Evidence

Verified July 31, 2025
The reporting

What the Evidence Shows

Multiple credible sources confirm that Shannon Sharpe settled a $50 million lawsuit filed by a woman accusing him of sexual assault. Following the settlement, ESPN officially cut ties with Sharpe, ending his role as a media analyst on their network. This sequence of events is well-documented and recent as of July 2025.

However, the claim that Sharpe was fired specifically because of a statement he made, “I don’t date my age, I date my wage”, is not supported by any credible evidence or reporting. The sources focus on the lawsuit and its settlement as the reason for ESPN's decision, without linking it to any personal quotes or statements made by Sharpe.

Therefore, while the core facts about the lawsuit settlement and ESPN parting ways are true, the connection to the quote and its alleged consequences is unsubstantiated and appears to be an opinion or speculation rather than fact.

Primary trail

Verified Sources10

ESPN parts ways with Shannon Sharpe following settlement of rape lawsuit:...

nytimes.com
Open source

ESPN Cuts Ties With Shannon Sharpe After He Settles Rape Lawsuit

variety.com
Open source

Shannon Sharpe out at ESPN after settlement in $50 million rape lawsuit

usatoday.com
Open source
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