NFL Hall of Famer and prominent sports commentator Shannon Sharpe finds himself embroiled in a continuing public scandal after reaching a multi-million dollar settlement with a young OnlyFans model who had accused him of sexual assault. The case, which involved a staggering $50 million lawsuit, was reportedly resolved for $20 million, but the aftermath has taken a new, provocative turn.
The Settlement and the Social Media Taunt
After a period of maintained silence following the confidential settlement, the 20-year-old OnlyFans model, identified as Gabriella Zuniga, appears to be publicly taunting the football legend. In a now-deleted social media post, Zuniga shared a picture of herself in a sophisticated black suit and trousers, accessorized with a Chanel handbag.
The image itself was less controversial than its caption. The caption read, "From now on, when you talk to me or ABOUT me, refer to me as Gabriella Zuniga, Ma’am, The Don, or Boss." This bold statement, though quickly removed, was captured by fans and has since fueled significant online discussion and backlash against Sharpe.
Fan Fury and Online Backlash
The model's post ignited a firestorm of criticism from fans, who directed their anger primarily at Shannon Sharpe for his involvement in the situation. On platform X (formerly Twitter), user reactions were swift and severe.
One user, @7ixers, commented, "Worked your whole life to get gripped by a mentally unstable white woman 22 years younger than you who isn't even hot. You set men back 1000 years with this one unc." Another, @OnlyCrownKing, labeled Zuniga a "typical opportunist gold digger." A third, @TheDeeGroup, called it "One of the biggest Ls in 2025."
User @DailyXbanger offered a pointed critique, stating, "The truth is that this serves Shannon right. He thought he was slick. Some black women warned him about his randy nature but he thought that going freaky with his daughter’s age group was a flex."
Allegations and Sharpe's Defense
The controversy stems from a lawsuit filed earlier, where the model accused Sharpe of serious misconduct. According to court documents accessed by NBC Sports, the $50 million lawsuit alleged that Sharpe would fly into "fits of anger" when confronted about infidelity and other activities.
More alarmingly, the suit claimed Sharpe "figured out how to get into Doe’s apartment complex without her permission," accusing him of invading her privacy. Throughout the ordeal, Shannon Sharpe has maintained his innocence against all allegations of sexual assault and threats.
Sharpe has consistently denied the accusations, asserting that their relationship was "consensual" and involved "role-playing." This defense has been strongly contested by the legal team representing the OnlyFans model.
As of now, Shannon Sharpe has chosen to remain silent regarding the recent taunting post and the ongoing fan fury. The situation presents a significant fall from grace for the respected sports personality, highlighting the severe personal and professional repercussions of the legal battle and its messy conclusion. The court of public opinion continues to deliberate, with the $20 million settlement doing little to quell the storm.
