Shannon Sharpe & Carefully Managing a PR Crisis
The matter involving Shannon Sharpe appears thornier by the day. He has been accused of rape and assault by a woman close to 30 youngs his junior. She is now suing him for $50 million.
When you’re experiencing a crisis, don’t make the situation worse. Don’t make it worse with what you say and don’t make it worse with what you do. I fear Sharpe and his team’s handling of the situation is making it worse.
It’s important to note that the allegations against Sharpe have not been proven in a court of law. He has not been convicted of a crime. And yet, the optics of his relationship with a woman who was allegedly 19-years-old when he met her, are damning.
Central Issue
Sharpe’s central poor decision was engaging with an alleged 19-year-old teen. I cannot fathom why a 55-year-old man would want a romantic relationship with a 19-year-old girl. A person cannot legally consume alcohol until they’re 21. The brain isn’t even fully developed until the mid-twenties. In addition to the age gap between them, Sharpe’s immense wealth meant that he naturally had more power in the relationship. The relationship may have been legal but that doesn’t make it ethical. A lot of people will see this girl and think of the young ladies in their own lives; the matter will be repulsive to healthy women and men.
Aside from the optics, here are three reasons I believe it was a mistake for Sharpe to make a recorded statement so early in the case.
Speak Through Your Lawyer
First, it would have been advisable for Sharpe to have spoken through his lawyer or issued a written statement. In his video recording, Sharpe publicly named his accuser and referred to her as an OnlyFans model. This felt retaliatory as his accuser is listed as a Jane Doe in legal filings. Now that her name has been publicized, she could face intimidation, harassment, and threats. Perhaps that’s what Sharpe wanted.
Take a Beat
Another reason that I believe Sharpe should not have recorded a video response, is because the situation was too fresh. When a person has been accused of a heinous offense, it is natural to be embarrassed, defensive and angry. Most people can’t communicate rationally or credibly when they are angry or defensive. At the bare minimum, Sharpe should have taken a beat to collect himself before issuing a video response.
What You Say Can and Will Be Used Against You
The final reason I would not have advised a recorded response is that everything Sharpe said could be used at trial, should the case make it to trial. In the same way that the public is watching, the opposing counsel is watching as well. They will pick this video apart and use it as fodder in court proceedings. Additionally, they will look for elements in his remarks that prove that he was controlling, and possibly violent.
While we’re on the topic of mistakes, it was unwise for Sharpe and his team to release private texts. The texts give the public entirely too much information about Sharpe as well as his accuser. While his team may have thought the messages would suggest a consensual relationship, they sour Sharpe’s reputation. If anyone gets a black eye for the racy messages it will be Sharpe; he has more to lose.
This entire situation reeks of a lack of wisdom and, quite honestly, a lack of discernment. For these reasons, it’s hard to see this situation working out in Shannon Sharpe’s favor. Even if his accuser drops her case, he will forever be remembered for the unsavory things he’s said and done.
Jennifer R. Farmer, aka The PR Whisperer®, is the principal of Spotlight PR LLC. Be sure to check out other blogs and subscribe for regular communications updates.