{"id":1923234,"date":"2026-05-07T19:38:23","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T16:38:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1923234"},"modified":"2026-05-07T19:38:23","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T16:38:23","slug":"ex-nfl-star-shawne-merriman-sued-for-2-million-over-unpaid-loans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1923234","title":{"rendered":"Ex-NFL Star Shawne Merriman Sued for $2 Million Over Unpaid Loans"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/bd\/16by9\/2026\/05\/07\/bd3f198ea75c49db9cf0bf57e8cae510_xl.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"article article--permalink \">\n<header class=\"article__header\">\n<h1 class=\"article__header--headline-title\">Ex-NFL Star Shawne Merriman Sued for $2 Million Over Unpaid Loans<\/h1>\n<h2 class=\"article__header--headline-fragments\"><span class=\"article__header--hf1 text-uppercase h3\">Ex-NFL Star Shawne Merriman<\/span><span class=\"article__header--hf2 text-uppercase h1\">Sued For Fraud<\/span><span class=\"article__header--hf3 text-none h2\">Investment Firm Seeks More Than $2 Million<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"social-media-container\" role=\"region\">\n<ul class=\"social social--sm\">\n<li>\n<div class=\"media-swipe\">Exclusive<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"social-item\">\n<li class=\"social-item\">\n<li class=\"social-item\"><\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tmz.com\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"js-track-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"google-preferred-btn\" src=\"https:\/\/static.tmz.com\/tmz-web\/img\/article\/google-preferred-source.png\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"byline\">By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/pages\/about\/\">TMZ Staff<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"date-wrapper\">\n                                                                        Published <time class=\"published-datetime\" datetime=\"2026-05-07T12:38:23-07:00\"><br \/>\n                              May 7, 2026<br \/>\n                            12:38 PM PDT<\/time><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"article__blocks clearfix\">\n<section id=\"cb-52fe43314f49ef1741a736f2a0f5e45f\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-image-block canvas-image-block-permalink canvas-image-block--default  canvas-block-is-first \">\n<div class=\"image-block\"><a class=\"js-click-image js-track-link image-lightbox-preview\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:image-asset:image_jpg_20260507_bd3f198ea75c49db9cf0bf57e8cae510\" data-container-ref=\"tmz:article:353b5dc5-820b-4ee2-8637-78b30b17f1e0\" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"image\"}'><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-wrapper\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/bd\/4by3\/2026\/05\/07\/bd3f198ea75c49db9cf0bf57e8cae510_md.jpg\" alt=\"Shawne Merriman TMZ\" width=\"728\" height=\"546\" class=\"img-fluid image-block__img-fluid img-aspect-auto\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"image-block__card-footer\"><span class=\"media-credit image-block__media-credit\">TMZ.com<\/span><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-626f0cac9a06ca265dabe4e6bcdfb0d7\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"text_block\"}'>\n<p>Ex-NFL star <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/people\/shawne-merriman\/\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>Shawne Merriman<\/strong><\/a> is being taken to federal court for fraud by a company claiming he owes more than $2.5 million &#8230; TMZ has learned.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-6b23ba6d1817d4fdbcb7356d570bd34e\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"text_block\"}'>\n<p>According to court docs, obtained by TMZ, a company called ARI Agent LLC claims Shawne took millions of dollars in financing but has not repaid a single cent. The investment firm says the former NFL star borrowed the money for his company, Lights Out XF, which is focused on mixed martial arts and entertainment.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-5b7d3b3a01288cfcfb175ebd5225ba23\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-image-block canvas-image-block-permalink canvas-image-block--default  \">\n<div class=\"image-block\"><a class=\"js-click-image js-track-link image-lightbox-preview\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:image-asset:image_jpg_20240906_c938594986fd40c8af026a9100f2c839\" data-container-ref=\"tmz:article:353b5dc5-820b-4ee2-8637-78b30b17f1e0\" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"image\"}'><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/c9\/4by3\/2024\/09\/06\/c938594986fd40c8af026a9100f2c839_md.jpg\" alt=\"Shawne Merriman sub\" width=\"728\" height=\"546\" class=\"img-fluid image-block__img-fluid img-aspect-auto\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"image-block__card-footer\"><span class=\"media-credit image-block__media-credit\">Getty<\/span><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-dfd0c54efaf900255f40d4f29abbf275\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"text_block\"}'>\n<p>ARI says this is no &#8220;routine default or simple contract dispute, but a deliberate, coordinated, multi-step scheme by Merriman to commit fraud, coercion, misrepresentation, and obstruction &#8212; all designed to avoid repayment and accountability.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-5bb02266e7167fa4f7b9caff3d0616b4\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"text_block\"}'>\n<p>The company said Shawne ran the company into the ground, which resulted in no reliable revenue and an inability to meet basic obligations.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-86712cfe8908951c65d95cc3582f6e65\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-image-block canvas-image-block-permalink canvas-image-block--default  \">\n<div class=\"image-block\"><a class=\"js-click-image js-track-link image-lightbox-preview\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:image-asset:image_jpg_20241113_84d0e2df2c3749dfa0b8f3d44fae0e6b\" data-container-ref=\"tmz:article:353b5dc5-820b-4ee2-8637-78b30b17f1e0\" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"image\"}'><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/84\/4by3\/2024\/11\/13\/84d0e2df2c3749dfa0b8f3d44fae0e6b_md.jpg\" alt=\"Shawn Merriman chargers\" width=\"728\" height=\"546\" class=\"img-fluid image-block__img-fluid img-aspect-auto\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"image-block__card-footer\"><span class=\"media-credit image-block__media-credit\">Getty<\/span><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-507709351c3588ecea9d5d626a49792c\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"text_block\"}'>\n<p>ARI insists these were not &#8220;isolated acts&#8221; but part of &#8220;a pattern of misconduct designed to extract capital, conceal risk, and avoid repayment.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-19029523d114fd7a0fd4a75c16c892cb\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"text_block\"}'>\n<p>The lender also claims Shawne sent threatening messages &#8212; including voicemails that going after him would &#8220;open a can of worms&#8221; &#8212; in an effort to deter ARI from seeking to recover the money. The company is now suing, seeking the unpaid balance and additional damages.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-37966fce951608a98d0760652f32d1bf\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  canvas-block-is-last \" data-context='{\"section\":\"permalink\",\"name\":\"text_block\"}'>\n<p>Shawne tells TMZ, &#8220;We filed a lawsuit against A.R.I. in Nevada some months ago and the matter is ongoing. I\u2019m still hopeful there\u2019s a resolution, but for now I\u2019ll let the legal process take its course.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<ul class=\"social social--permalink\">\n<li class=\"social__item social__item--3items\"><a class=\"btn social__btn social__btn--facebook js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/2026\/05\/07\/shawne-merriman-sued-over-loan-debt\/\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:article:353b5dc5-820b-4ee2-8637-78b30b17f1e0\" data-context='{\"section\":\"main\",\"name\":\"facebook-footer\",\"pos\":1}'><br \/>\n                Share<span class=\"social__hide-sm\"> on Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"social__item social__item--3items\"><a class=\"btn social__btn social__btn--x js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/2026\/05\/07\/shawne-merriman-sued-over-loan-debt\/\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:article:353b5dc5-820b-4ee2-8637-78b30b17f1e0\" data-context='{\"section\":\"main\",\"name\":\"twitter-footer\",\"pos\":2}'><br \/>\n                Share<span class=\"social__hide-sm\"> on X<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"social__item social__item--3items\"><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"related-articles\">\n<header class=\"card-section-header related-articles__card-section-header\">\n<h3 class=\"card-section-title related-articles__card-section-title\">\n              Related articles<br \/>\n            <\/h3>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"row related-articles__row\">\n<div class=\"col related-articles__col\">\n<article class=\"related-articles__card\"><a class=\"related-articles__card-link js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/2024\/12\/16\/49ers-to-suspend-devondre-campbell-over-refusal-to-play\/\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:article:353b5dc5-820b-4ee2-8637-78b30b17f1e0\" data-context='{\"section\":\"main\",\"name\":\"related-article\",\"pos\":1}'><\/p>\n<div class=\"related-articles__card-img ratio\">\n<div class=\"ratio-item\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/9f\/16by9\/2024\/12\/16\/9fe1cfd11da44adc8e42dcbc1f30dcc6_xs.jpg\" alt=\"devondre campbell getty 3\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" class=\"img-fluid\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"related-articles__card-body\">\n<h4 class=\"related-articles__card-title\">\n                        49ers To Suspend De&#8217;Vondre Campbell Over Refusal To Play<br \/>\n                      <\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col related-articles__col\">\n<article class=\"related-articles__card\"><a class=\"related-articles__card-link js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/2024\/12\/14\/shawne-merriman-devondre-campbell-49ers-nfl-career-over\/\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:article:353b5dc5-820b-4ee2-8637-78b30b17f1e0\" data-context='{\"section\":\"main\",\"name\":\"related-article\",\"pos\":2}'><\/p>\n<div class=\"related-articles__card-img ratio\">\n<div class=\"ratio-item\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/1b\/16by9\/2024\/12\/13\/1bba2a25ca3c43d78930bd0159e3fd26_xs.jpg\" alt=\"121324-shawne-merriman-primary\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" class=\"img-fluid\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"related-articles__card-body\">\n<h4 class=\"related-articles__card-title\">\n                        Shawne Merriman Thinks 49ers&#8217; 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src=&#8221;https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/bd\/16by9\/2026\/05\/07\/bd3f198ea75c49db9cf0bf57e8cae510_xl.jpg&#8221;] Ex-NFL Star Shawne Merriman Sued for $2 Million Over Unpaid Loans Ex-NFL Star Shawne MerrimanSued For FraudInvestment Firm Seeks More Than $2 Million Exclusive By TMZ Staff Published May 7, 2026 12:38 PM PDT TMZ.com Ex-NFL star Shawne Merriman is being taken to federal court for fraud by a company claiming he [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,77],"class_list":["post-1923234","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-tmz-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1923234","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1923234"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1923234\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1923234"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1923234"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1923234"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}