NFL Network commentator Warren Sapp has been fired after he allegedly solicited a prostitute in Phoenix, Arizona, TheWrap has learned.
“Warren Sapp’s contract has been terminated and he no longer works for NFL Network,” said network spokesman Alex Riethmiller in a statement to TheWrap.
“We were waiting for outcome of police investigation. As he has now been officially charged, we have proceeded with termination,” he added.
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Sapp was booked into the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office jail Monday and charged with soliciting prostitution and two counts of assault, both misdemeanor offenses. Phoenix Police Department handled the arrest, the Sheriff’s office confirmed.
Sapp, 42, was in Phoenix covering Super Bowl XLIX before the arrest.
Around 2:30 a.m., Phoenix police were working security at a hotel downtown and investigating a noise disturbance. There, they were contacted by a female alleging she had been assaulted in a guest room, Phoenix Police said in a statement to TheWrap.
“She and another female were there as escorts,” the police report states. “During a meeting in the room, an argument ensued, allegedly over money and the altercation turned physical, spilling out into the hallway.”
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As the investigation unfolded, police determined prostitution had occurred in a room involving one of the females. Sapp was arrested by the police and taken to headquarters.
“While there he was questioned and admitted involvement in the act of prostitution, but denied assaulting the females,” police said
In addition to Sapp’s arrest, one female was detained for one count of prostitution and a second female was later located at a Peoria hotel. The second female was interviewed and cited for violating the city’s escort permit before being released.
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Before Monday’s arrest, The “Dancing with the Stars” alum was previously arrested on domestic battery charges in 2010 before they were dropped. Sapp was also arrested for an alleged domestic battery charge in Miami in 2014, according to media reports.
Since the arrest, Sapp’s bio has been taken down from the NFL Network website. He had been an analyst at NFL Network since 2008.
He’s expected to appear in court again on Feb. 23, according to media reports. TheWrap’s request to police regarding Sapp’s court date wasn’t immediately returned.
Last month, basketball commentator and former NBA player Greg Anthony was suspended indefinitely by CBS and Turner Sports on Saturday after he was arrested on charges of soliciting a prostitute in a Washington, D.C. hotel room, TheWrap previously reported.
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