NFL Hall of Famer and former ESPN star Shannon Sharpe is being sued for $20 million by Jimalita Tillman, who claims Sharpe and his Nightcap podcast co-host Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson spread false rumors about her marital status.
The lawsuit, filed against Sharpe, Johnson, and their production company Shay Shay Media, stems from comments made about a viral video showing Tillman in a flirty fan interaction with Usher at a concert on April 2, 2025.
Tillman, a single mother and global director for the Harold Washington Cultural Center, stated in court documents obtained by The U.S. Sun that she was not married and never going through a divorce, contrary to Sharpe and Johnson’s claims.
The false narrative, shared widely across their platforms, allegedly caused significant harm to Tillman’s reputation, emotional distress, and damage to her personal and professional relationships.
Despite her public efforts to correct the misinformation, the defendants continued to spread the false statements, the lawsuit claims.
Tillman is seeking $20 million in damages for defamation and reckless disregard for the truth. Her legal team is in talks with Sharpe’s representatives to resolve the matter quickly, according to The U.S. Sun.
This lawsuit follows Sharpe’s recent departure from ESPN, confirmed this week after he settled a separate $50 million lawsuit involving allegations of rape, which he denied.
Another pending lawsuit from former sportscaster Michele Bundy Evans also accuses Sharpe of sexual assault and threats.
Despite these legal battles, Sharpe continues to host his podcasts Club Shay Shay and Nightcap.
