Shannon Sharpe is “absolutely” innocent of the rape allegations and $50 million lawsuit against him, Stephen A. Smith says he believes of his First Take colleague and friend. However, the relentless pragmatic sport and cultural commentator also acknowledged Friday it was inevitable that Disney-owned ESPN would cut ties with the NFL Hall of Famer once

Stephen A. Smith said he received permission to deliver a message from ESPN and Disney about the $50 million civil lawsuit accusing Shannon Sharpe of rape that was filed by a “Jane