Court Rejects Brett Favre's Defamation Appeal Against Shannon Sharpe

The federal appeals court ruled that Sharpe's comments on Favre's involvement in the Mississippi welfare scandal were protected opinions.

A federal appeals court has refused to revive Brett Favre's defamation lawsuit against Shannon Sharpe.
Favre's lawsuit stemmed from Sharpe's 2022 comments on FS1's Undisputed, where Sharpe criticized Favre's alleged involvement in a Mississippi welfare scandal.
The court confirmed that Sharpe's statements were constitutionally protected opinions based on publicly known facts.
Favre had repaid $1.1 million he received in speaking fees but still owes $729,790 in interest, according to the Mississippi State Auditor.
The original lawsuit was dismissed by a federal district judge on grounds of Sharpe's comments being rhetorical hyperbole.