The Fox Sports world has been hit with scandal after a bombshell lawsuit was filed by a former employee on Friday, Jan. 3. In the 42-page filing, ex-FS1 stylist, Noushin Faraji, names Fox network, sports commentator Skip Bayless, and others as defendants in a jaw-dropping sexual misconduct lawsuit, obtained by Front Office Sports.
The stylist claims Bayless made several sexual advances toward her over the years, which allegedly started when she began work on the “Undisputed” morning show with him. The suit also alleges Bayless accused the stylist of sleeping with Shannon Sharpe, Bayless’ former co-star on “Undisputed.”
Although Sharpe is only briefly mentioned in the suit, the Hall of Famer made it crystal clear that he is not involved in the matter. In fact, during a recent episode of Sharpe’s “Nightcap” show, he completely distanced himself from Bayless and any of his allegations.
“That has nothing to do with me,” he said on YouTube. “There’s nothing to address. In those 42 pages, it doesn’t mention that Shannon Sharpe did anything. But you all want to get clicks, so you mention me,” he continued.
Sharpe and Bayless often had a feisty relationship on camera, and in the end, Sharpe left “Undisputed” and later hinted at unresolved issues with Bayless and the network during an interview with Cam Newton.
Former Fox Sports host Jason Whitlock said during the show, Bayless was “jealous” of Sharpe and even “baited” into a battle of machismo with the Hall of Famer, according to the Daily Mail.
Whitlock said Bayless “started competing with Shannon Sharpe in the sexual Olympics [and] he got out over his skis.” He continued saying Sharpe “baited Bayless into a pimp competition. Who can have the most girls in hair and makeup like them? Want to be with them?”
Now, it seems this alleged competition has come back to bite Bayless in the form of a lawsuit. Here’s the breakdown...
Sexual Misconduct Claims During ‘Undisputed’
The bombshell lawsuit seeks class-action status for Faraji and other Fox employees working in California since 2020. She’s also seeking unspecified financial compensation for damages and a jury trial.
In the suit, the former employee said the 73-year-old host would give her “lingering hugs and kisses on the cheek while putting his body against hers and pressing against her breasts.”
Although Faraji repeatedly turned down Bayless’ advances, she claims he persisted and even offered her $1.5 million to sleep with him.
Allegations Against Joy Taylor
The lawsuit continued claiming Faraji shared her complaints about Bayless’ inappropriate behavior to FS1 host Taylor, but she was dismissed. In fact, the suit alleges Taylor told the stylist “get over it.”
In addition to these shocking allegations against Taylor, Faraji also claims the FS1 host leveraged sex to advance her own career, specifically with network executive Charlie Dixon and Emmanuel Acho, Taylor’s “Speak” co-host.
Faraji first suspected Taylor and Dixon were intimate in 2016, according to the filing. “From their body language, Ms. Faraji suspected that the pair were sleeping with each other, and although this concerned Ms. Faraji as she knew Ms. Taylor was recently married, Ms. Faraji kept her opinions to herself,” read the suit.
If that wasn’t enough to stir the pot, the lawsuit also alleges Taylor had plans to fabricate sexual misconduct allegations against Dixon to protect her own career. “Once Mr. Dixon was no longer useful to [Taylor], she would follow through on her plan to tell the company that he forced himself on her,” according to the suit.
Responses to Allegations
Faraji’s suit claims she made several complaints to the Human Resources and Employee Relations departments, but nothing was done. She quit her position at Fox in August 2024, after working with the network since 2012, according to Front Office Sports.
Fox Sports responded to the lawsuit saying “We take these allegations seriously and have no further comment at this time given this pending litigation.”
Devin Abney, one of Faraji’s attorneys, told Front Office Sports “Our client looks forward to being vindicated and hopes this will compel Fox to take meaningful and substantial steps to address and resolve the toxic workplace that has impacted her and many of her colleagues.”