• Noushin Faraji, a former Fox Sports hairstylist, has filed a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment, workplace bullying, and a toxic environment at Fox Sports, naming Skip Bayless, Charlie Dixon, and Joy Taylor as defendants.
• The lawsuit includes claims of unwanted advances, cultural and religious discrimination, bullying over ethnicity, and systemic wage violations, along with wrongful termination in 2024.
• Fox Sports has acknowledged the allegations in a brief statement but declined further comment due to ongoing litigation.

A former Fox Sports hairstylist, Noushin Faraji, has filed a lawsuit against Fox Sports, its parent company Fox Corporation, and former presenter Skip Bayless, alleging sexual harassment and a toxic workplace environment. Faraji claims Bayless made unwanted sexual advances, including an offer of $1.5 million to sleep with him, and accuses the network of fostering a culture that tolerated abuse of power by on-air personalities.

Allegations Against Skip Bayless and Others

Faraji’s lawsuit, filed in California Superior Court in Los Angeles, alleges that Bayless, the former co-host of Undisputed, began harassing her in 2017. She states that Bayless kissed her on the cheek without consent, made inappropriate comments about her appearance, and suggested he could transform her life if she agreed to sleep with him. She further claims that in 2021, Bayless threatened her job after she rejected his advances.

Adding to these allegations, Faraji accuses Bayless of making offensive remarks about her culture and religion. For example, she recounts that when she asked him to stop harassing her because he was married, Bayless allegedly replied, “Aren’t you Muslim? Doesn’t your dad have three to four wives?”

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Faraji’s suit also names Fox Sports Executive Vice President Charlie Dixon as a defendant, accusing him of groping her and engaging in further acts of sexual harassment.

Claims of a Hostile Work Environment

Faraji contends that Fox Sports and its parent company maintained a workplace environment hostile to women, minorities, and employees with disabilities. The suit describes a culture where executives and talent regularly abused their power, while those who reported misconduct faced retaliation instead of support.

The lawsuit details an incident involving FS1 host Joy Taylor, who is also named as a defendant. Faraji claims Taylor bullied her over her ethnicity, mocking her English and complaining about her PTSD-related humming. According to Faraji, this behavior reached a breaking point in mid-2023, leading to emotional distress.

Broader Allegations Against Fox Sports

In addition to claims of harassment and bullying, Faraji’s suit raises concerns about systemic wage and labor violations at Fox Sports. She is pursuing a class action claim, alleging that the company failed to pay employees their full wages and overtime.

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Although Mark Silverman, President and COO of Fox Sports, and Eric Shanks, CEO and Executive Producer of Fox Sports, are not currently listed as defendants, Faraji’s suit indicates they may be added later based on evidence uncovered during the case.

Faraji’s lawsuit also includes a claim of wrongful termination. She asserts she was fired in 2024 for “fabricated” reasons, following years of reporting workplace misconduct.

Fallout From the Allegations

The allegations come at a challenging time for Fox Sports, which has faced significant public scrutiny in recent years. Bayless’ Undisputed show was canceled in 2024 after losing viewership following the departure of co-host Shannon Sharpe.

Fox Sports, in response to the lawsuit, issued a brief statement to USA TODAY, saying, “We take these allegations seriously and have no further comment at this time given this pending litigation.”

Broader Implications for Media Workplaces

Faraji’s case is the latest in a string of legal battles highlighting toxic workplace cultures in the media industry. Her lawsuit calls attention to the intersection of power dynamics, gender, race, and disability in corporate environments. By filing this suit, Faraji seeks accountability not only for the individuals she accuses but also for the larger structures that enabled the alleged misconduct.

As of now, none of the defendants named in the lawsuit, including Bayless and Taylor, have publicly commented on the allegations. The case serves as a reminder of the challenges many employees face when attempting to report misconduct in the workplace.

What are your opinions on the issues raised in this story? We’d like to hear from you. Share your comments below or join the conversation on social media.

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