Fox Sports executive vice president Charlie Dixon, former FS1 host Skip Bayless, and current FS1 host Joy Taylor have all been named in a workplace misconduct lawsuit filed by a former Fox Sports hairstylist, Noushin Faraji. The lawsuit was first reported by A.J. Perez and Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports.
Faraji alleges a workplace environment rife with misconduct, including incidents that were sexual in nature.
Of the allegations, Faraji details years of sexual harassment from former Undisputed host Skip Bayless, who at one point propositioned her for sex by offering her $1.5 million. Faraji also claims that Bayless would give “lingering hugs and kisses on the cheek while putting his body against hers and pressing against her breasts.” Additionally, the lawsuit claims Bayless accused Faraji of having sexual relations with his former co-host, Shannon Sharpe.
Such unwanted advancements by Bayless went so far, Faraji told the FS1 host she was suffering from ovarian cancer in an effort to stop further incidents.
Faraji also alleges that Fox Sports executive Charlie Dixon once “grabbed her buttocks” during a birthday party both were attending. When she later detailed the encounter to Joy Taylor, the Speak host allegedly told her to “get over it.”
Some of Faraji’s allegations suggest she was discriminated against based on her Muslim faith. During one incident detailed in the lawsuit, Faraji claims she met one of Bayless’ advances by saying, “Skip, stop, you have a wife.” Bayless then responded, “Aren’t you Muslim? Doesn’t your dad have three to four wives?”
In another incident, Taylor allegedly made remarks about Faraji’s Persian descent. According to the lawsuit, Taylor “insult[ed] Ms. Faraji on a personal and professional level,” mocking the “English” pronunciation of Faraji.
The lawsuit contends that these issues continued for her over decade-long tenure at Fox despite multiple complaints to the company’s Human Resources department.
“Ms. Faraji brings forth this action because for over a decade at Fox, she was forced to endure a misogynistic, racist, and ableist workplace where executives and talent were allowed to physically and verbally abuse workers with impunity,” the suit alleges. “When Ms. Faraji and others came forward to report the wrongdoing, instead of addressing their concerns, Fox retaliated against them while the perpetrators and those who protected them were inexplicably promoted. This case thus represents yet another in a long line of cases chronicling the toxic culture at Fox, marked by bad faith promises and repeated failures to address a poisonous and entrenched patriarchy.”
Per the Front Office Sports report, Mark Silverman, president and COO of Fox Sports, and Eric Shanks, executive producer and CEO of Fox Sports, were not named in the lawsuit, though could potentially be met with legal action based on findings during the discovery process.
Fox has recently re-tooled its studio lineup, having canceled Bayless’ old show Undisputed and replaced it with Breakfast Ball and The Facility in the morning hours. Taylor still hosts her show Speak on weekday evenings at 5 p.m. ET. Faraji clears FS1’s Colin Cowherd of any wrongdoing stating, “throughout her entire tenure at Fox, Mr. Cowherd was professional and respectful to Ms. Faraji and her coworkers.”
When contacted by Front Office Sports, Fox Sports released the following statement, “We take these allegations seriously and have no further comment at this time given this pending litigation.” Faraji’s lawyers did not provide comment to Front Office Sports.
About Drew Lerner
Drew Lerner is a staff writer for Awful Announcing and an aspiring cable subscriber. He previously covered sports media for Sports Media Watch. Future beat writer for the Oasis reunion tour.