A newly filed class action lawsuit against Fox Sports and FS1 exposes certain alleged wrongdoing, from sexual harassment and battery to a toxic work culture. It is on behalf of a former Fox Sports hairstylist, Noushin Faraji, who joins big names like FS1 host Skip Bayless and Fox Sports EVP Charlie Dixon. The suit cited unwanted advances and physical harassment as inappropriate behaviors, renewing debate about accountability within media organizations.
Allegations Against FS1 Personnel and Leadership
Faraji was with Fox Sports since 2012 until 2023. In the suit, she alleges that leadership of the network allowed a harassing and discriminating environment. A 42-page lawsuit accuses Dixon of inappropriate grabbing at a West Hollywood party. Faraji further alleges Bayless harassed her through unwanted touching and offered her money in exchange for sexual favors.
She alleged he offered her $1.5 million in exchange for a sexual relationship and pursued her despite constant rejection. Bayless made unsolicited, unprofessional comments toward her personal life and cultural heritage, Faraji added.
Claims of Retaliation, Workplace Discrimination
The lawsuit also paints a big picture of the hostile work environment at Fox Sports. Faraji says that instead of receiving support, she faced retaliation for reporting the incidents to Human Resources. The suit describes a workplace where verbal and physical abuses were not checked; some of the perpetrators were reportedly promoted despite complaints against them.
Faraji says she was personally attacked by FS1 host Joy Taylor once their working relationship deteriorated, even going so far as to make fun of Faraji’s ethnic pronunciation of her name and adding to the toxic work environment.
A Pattern of Misconduct in Sports Media
This lawsuit adds to a series of similar allegations in the sports media industry. Faraji’s case follows previous legal actions involving misconduct at prominent organizations, including the NFL Network and ESPN. While Fox Sports is currently under scrutiny, the lawsuit also mentions other instances of workplace harassment within the broader sports media landscape.
The lawsuit seeks class-action status to represent other nonexempt Fox employees in California over the past four years. Faraji has demanded a jury trial and unspecified damages, claiming it is time for systemic change in how such allegations are handled.
Fox Sports Responds Amid Ongoing Changes
In response to the suit, Fox Sports released a statement indicating that they take the allegations seriously but would say nothing more because of the process. Now, let this be noted: the timing of this lawsuit certainly comes at an interesting time for FS1 because, within the last week, the network pulled the plug on one of its prime studio shows in *Undisputed* and announced some new shows onto its slate.
Her allegations against Faraji raise very significant questions of culture at Fox Sports but huge, broader ones related to accountability and treatment within the media. Their responses, in the case so far, have yet to unfold.
