Shannon Sharpe Hit with $20 Million Lawsuit Over Viral Usher Video

This week it was revealed that Shannon Sharpe had been fired by ESPN after settling a $50 million sixual battery lawsuit [click here if you missed that]. 

Now Shannon and his Nightcap podcast co-host, Chad 'Ocho Cinco' Johnson, have been hit with a $20 million defamation of character lawsuit for spreading a false internet rumor about a woman who was serenaded by Usher...

From The Sun

SHANNON Sharpe is being sued for $20 million after the former ESPN star shamed a woman over a viral flirty video with Usher, and wrongly alleged her husband left her over the incident.

In court documents exclusively obtained by The U.S. Sun, the woman, Jimalita Tillman, is suing Sharpe, as well as his Nightcap co-host Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson, and the podcast's production company, Shay Shay Media.

The woman claims the hosts knowingly propagated a false narrative about her marital status in court papers.

Sharpe, 57, just settled a $50 million lawsuit with a woman who accused him of grape, and he was officially let go from his ESPN job on Wednesday.

In Tillman's complaint, she explained, "On April 2, 2025 I participated in a fan engagement moment at a Usher Raymond concert where I interacted with the artist as a selected audience member."

The interaction quickly went viral after fans noted the intensity between Tillman and Usher in the fun moment.

"Following this event, the defendants made and disseminated false and defamatory statements suggesting that I was married and that my husband was filing for divorce due to my participation in this audience experience, I am not married, nor am I currently going through a divorce"

She went on to explain, "I was not married at the time of the fan participation moment during the Usher concert.

"The defendants' false narratives were shared widely across their platforms, reaching millions of followers, viral spread and refutation efforts, despite my clear and public reputation of the false narrative."

The woman, who is a global director for the Harold Washington Cultural Center, said she even went on national media shows to refute the allegations from the ESPN First Take star that she was a married woman.

Despite that she alleged, "The defendants continued to post the defamatory content across their social media platforms.

"I made numerous efforts to contact the defendants to request the removal of this false narrative, but these requests were disregarded."

The single mother added that the false statements have caused "significant harm to my character and reputation."

She further argued, "Their continued dissemination of these false statements after I publicly clarified my marital status demonstrates a reckless disregard for the truth."

Tillman further alleged, "The ongoing misinformation has resulted in emotional distress for the plaintiff, damaged her reputation and adversely affected her personal and professional relationships."

The Chicago native, whose previously homeschooled daughter received her doctorate while still a teenager, is seeking $20 million in damages.

The U.S. Sun has reached out to Sharpe's attorneys for comment.

In a conversation with The U.S. Sun, Tillman added, "We've been in communication with the legal team of Shay Shay media, who was also representing Shannon Sharpe.

"They're looking to resolve this matter quickly, and we will probably have more to share upon our next conversation."

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