Shannon Sharpe PULLS UP On Stephen A. For Backstabbing Him │ Stephen A. Backtracks | HO

In the world of sports media, few relationships have captivated fans like the dynamic between Shannon Sharpe and Stephen A. Smith. Once viewed as a formidable duo on ESPN’s “First Take,” their partnership now appears to be in shambles amid allegations of betrayal, public shade, and double standards. As Sharpe faces mounting legal drama, the cracks in their friendship have become impossible to ignore—culminating in what many see as a public backstab by Stephen A., followed by a desperate attempt to backtrack.

From Brothers-in-Arms to Bitter Rivals

For years, Shannon Sharpe and Stephen A. Smith were the picture of camaraderie. Stephen A. even recruited Sharpe to ESPN, proudly introducing him as a new voice on “First Take.” But behind the scenes, sources say tensions simmered, especially as Sharpe’s independent ventures—like his “Club Shay Shay” podcast—began to eclipse his ESPN profile.

The real rupture began when news broke that Sharpe was being sued by an OnlyFans model, Gabriella Zuniga, who alleges a pattern of sexual coercion, manipulation, and non-consensual acts during their relationship. The lawsuit, filed when Zuniga was just 19, has cast a long shadow over Sharpe’s career and personal life. But instead of standing by his friend, Stephen A. was quick to comment—publicly hinting that ESPN and Disney were preparing to drop Sharpe, even before any official announcement.

Stephen A.’s “Support”: Too Little, Too Late?

When the lawsuit first surfaced, Stephen A. was among the first to address it on his platforms. His tone, however, was anything but supportive. He spoke of Sharpe’s predicament in the past tense, almost as if Sharpe’s career was already over. “It’s a sad situation,” Stephen A. said, “Shannon Sharp is somebody I work with a couple of days a week… somebody I brought to ESPN. But I’m not the boss.”

He went on to explain that ESPN and Disney were taking the matter “very, very seriously,” and implied that Sharpe’s fate was out of his hands. “In my perfect world, he moves on and somehow, someway, we find this all to be false. But it doesn’t seem like that’s the way things are about to go down,” Stephen A. added, referencing the determination of Zuniga’s legal team.

To many, it sounded like Stephen A. was washing his hands of Sharpe, distancing himself from the embattled star just as the controversy was heating up.

Double Standards and Flip-Flopping

What really set fans off, however, was the glaring double standard in Stephen A.’s approach. When similar allegations surfaced against Jay-Z—accusations even more serious and involving a Diddy party—Stephen A. leaped to Jay-Z’s defense without hesitation. “The guy I know, this is not true,” he said of Jay-Z, making it clear that his loyalty was unwavering.

But when it came to Sharpe, Stephen A. was far less certain. “Um, I wasn’t there. My date your age. Date your age,” he said, echoing criticisms of Sharpe’s involvement with much younger women and refusing to offer the same benefit of the doubt he extended to Jay-Z.

Mace, a fellow celebrity and media figure, called out Stephen A. for this hypocrisy on his own podcast, pointing out that Stephen A. had no more firsthand knowledge of Jay-Z’s case than he did of Sharpe’s, yet chose to believe one and not the other. “You were not there for Jay-Z but you went out on a limb because of the character of the guy you know. I would have thought that the same standard would be there for a guy you work with every day,” Mace argued.

The Fallout: Shannon Cuts Ties

Insiders now say that Shannon Sharpe has cut all ties with Stephen A., refusing to answer his calls or texts. The betrayal, they claim, runs deep—especially after Stephen A. appeared to relish discussing Sharpe’s legal troubles on air, even before Sharpe had responded publicly or made any move to leave ESPN.

For Sharpe, this was the final straw. Sources close to him say he’s long felt that Stephen A. was jealous of his rising star, especially after viral moments like the Cat Williams interview on “Club Shay Shay.” As Sharpe’s profile grew, Stephen A.’s attitude reportedly shifted from supportive to competitive—culminating in the current fallout.

Backtracking and Damage Control

After facing backlash from fans and celebrities alike, Stephen A. tried to change his tune. On a recent appearance on Big Boy’s show, he suddenly claimed to believe in Sharpe’s innocence and even suggested that the former NFL star was being set up. But for many, the damage was already done.

Fans flooded social media with criticism, calling Stephen A. a “flip-flopper” and accusing him of only defending Sharpe after being called out for his double standards. “Stephen’s halfway in, halfway out loyalty in Shannon’s case is wild. He went all-in for Jay-Z but now he’s backtracking like his first post was some unwavering stand for Shannon’s innocence,” one fan wrote.

Another added, “If Stephen A. Smith really wants to help Shannon, all he needs to do is shut up. Talking about it like this isn’t helping at all.”

More Allegations, More Trouble

As the controversy raged, more disturbing allegations about Sharpe’s past surfaced. His ex-girlfriend Michelle Evans filed a separate lawsuit accusing him of rape and emotional abuse, recounting a harrowing incident from 2010 that she claims left her traumatized for years. Evans alleges that after an argument about cheating, Sharpe threatened her, forced her into non-consensual acts, and used intimidation to keep her silent.

Evans also accused Sharpe of doxing Zuniga, putting her safety at risk by exposing her identity and OnlyFans account. “That was horrifying because things are going to happen to her because of that,” Evans told the US Sun.

The Verdict: No Sympathy, No Friendship

With so many allegations swirling, public sympathy for Sharpe has evaporated. Even sports figures like Ryan Clark and Charleston White have criticized Sharpe, arguing that his behavior matches the image he’s cultivated over the years. “He’s not a charming man… he’s mean, authoritative, and regimented,” Charleston White said, dismissing the idea that Sharpe was set up.

Meanwhile, Stephen A. Smith’s relentless commentary has only fueled the fire. Many believe he’s enjoying Sharpe’s downfall, using the controversy to boost his own relevance while pretending to be a concerned friend.

Conclusion

The saga of Shannon Sharpe and Stephen A. Smith is a cautionary tale about loyalty, reputation, and the dangers of playing both sides in the cutthroat world of sports media. As Sharpe faces the consequences of his actions, one thing is clear: the days of brotherhood between these two TV giants are over—and fans will be watching closely to see who, if anyone, emerges unscathed.