A former hairstylist for Fox Sports has initiated legal action against the network, its parent company, Fox Corporation, and former host Skip Bayless, alleging that Bayless made inappropriate sexual advances towards her.
The defendants in this case include FOX, FOX Sports, FS1, FS2, FOX Sports Executive Vice President Charlie Dixon, Skip Bayless, FS1 host Joy Taylor, and an additional 25 individuals identified as DOES 1-25.
Who Is Noushin Faraji?
Noushin Faraji, the former hairstylist, alleges that Bayless, the host of Fox Sports' Undisputed, sexually harassed her, including an assertion in her lawsuit that Bayless proposed $1.5 million for sexual relations, according to reports from the Associated Press. Her lawsuit, filed in the California Superior Court in Los Angeles, also contends that Fox Sports and Fox Corporation fostered a hostile work environment that allowed for the abuse of power by on-air talent.
Faraji was terminated from her position in 2024, which she claims was based on "fabricated" reasons. Additionally, Bayless' show was removed from the air in 2024 following a decline in viewership after the departure of his co-host Shannon Sharpe.
The lawsuit also includes a claim of "wrongful termination."
The lawsuit states: "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. When Ms. Faraji and others reported the misconduct, instead of addressing their concerns, Fox retaliated against them while the perpetrators and those who shielded 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."
In response to the allegations, Fox Sports stated to USA TODAY: "We take these allegations seriously and have no further comment at this time given this pending litigation."
Why Is Joy Taylor Included in the Lawsuit?
Skip Bayless is not the sole individual named in the lawsuit. Joy Taylor, the current host for Fox Sports 1, is also identified as a defendant in the case brought forth by Faraji.
Previously, Taylor served as the moderator on Bayless' program, and Faraji has alleged in the lawsuit that Taylor engaged in bullying behavior related to her ethnicity. The complaint states: "In early June 2023, the situation escalated, as Ms. Taylor began to openly ridicule Ms. Faraji's English, claiming she could not comprehend Ms. Faraji's accent, and expressed discontent regarding Ms. Faraji's humming, which is an involuntary coping mechanism for her diagnosed PTSD."
What Are the Allegations Against Skip Bayless?
In her lawsuit, Faraji asserts that Bayless' harassment began in 2017, during which he would kiss her on the cheek and make remarks suggesting he could transform her life if she engaged in a sexual relationship with him.
She further alleges that in 2021, Bayless threatened her employment for declining his sexual advances. Additionally, Faraji's lawsuit claims that Bayless made inappropriate comments regarding her culture and religion. For instance, when she requested that he cease his harassment, given that he was married, Bayless allegedly responded: "Aren't you Muslim? Doesn't your dad have three to four wives?"
Who Else Is Accused in the Allegations?
Another individual mentioned in the complaint is Charlie Dixon, a Fox Sports executive, whom Faraji accuses of also sexually harassing and groping her.
Faraji is pursuing a class action lawsuit against the company, alleging that Fox Sports failed to compensate its employees fully for their wages and overtime.
The lawsuit notes: "While not currently named as defendants herein, Mark Silverman, President and COO of Fox Sports, and Eric Shanks, CEO and Executive Producer of Fox Sports, may be added as defendants based on forthcoming discovery related to Ms. Faraji's claims."
Has Fox Sports Provided Any Comments Regarding the Lawsuit?
Fox Sports has indicated that it has no additional comments at this moment, other than affirming that it is taking the allegations seriously.
The individuals named in the lawsuit have not publicly addressed the accusations against them.
Is Skip Bayless in a Marital Relationship?
Bayless has been married to Ernestine Sclafani Bayless since 2016. According to Faraji's lawsuit, this occurred one year prior to the commencement of the alleged harassment against Faraji.
Sclafani Bayless recently shared a post with her 12,000 Instagram followers, featuring a celebration of New Year's with her husband. The caption read: "Hope your 2025 is off to a terrific start and each new day is more fabulous than the last!
"So Skip and I had fun revealing our New Year's resolutions (wonder if you guys might have the same ones on your list?) in addition to discussing and debating some very relatable topics....Take a look or listen but most of all ENJOY enjoy."
Is Joy Taylor Currently Married?
Taylor was previously married to former baseball player Richard Giannotti from 2016 to 2017. However, she has not entered into another marriage since that time.
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