Gabriella Zuniga is making headlines after filing a $50 million civil lawsuit against former NFL player and media personality Shannon Sharpe. She claims that their two-year relationship became abusive, including allegations of sexual assault. The case has raised significant attention, leading many to wonder more about who Zuniga is.
Here is everything to know about the case.
Who is Gabriella Zuniga?
Gabriella Zuniga, a woman previously known as “Jane Doe” in a civil lawsuit, is seeking $50 million in damages from former NFL player Shannon Sharpe. The civil case claims that their relationship, which began consensually in 2023 when she was 19, turned abusive.
In the lawsuit, she alleges incidents of sexual assault in October 2024 and January 2025. Zuniga also highlights a September 2024 incident, claiming that Sharpe was reportedly heard engaging in sexual activity on Instagram Live. Zuniga insists she did not participate in the broadcast and describes the event as humiliating.
The lawsuit includes allegations of sexual assault, battery, and emotional distress. Zuniga also claims Sharpe filmed their sexual encounters without her consent. Zuniga’s lawyer, Tony Buzbee, is representing her in the ongoing lawsuit.
Meanwhile, Sharpe’s legal team argues that the claims are false and have pointed to text messages and a video from Zuniga that they claim show the relationship was consensual. Sharpe’s lawyer, Lanny Davis, said in a statement, “The lawsuit, filed by Gabriella Zuniga and orchestrated by her attorney Tony Buzbee, is a blatant and cynical attempt to shake down Mr. Sharpe for millions of dollars. It is filled with lies, distortions, and misrepresentations – and it will not succeed.”
Sharpe’s legal team claims that Zuniga took a video of a consensual sexual encounter out of context. They also allege that she edited it to misrepresent the situation. The case is still a civil matter, with no criminal charges filed. Sharpe and Zuniga are both preparing to contest the claims in court.
