Behind the Curtains at Fox Sports: Scandal, Lawsuit & the Exit of Joy Taylor

Sports Contributor
Jul 17
3 min read

A Star at Center Court—Until She Wasn’t

Joy Taylor, one of the few women anchoring prime-time sports media, built her career over nearly a decade at Fox Sports—appearing on Undisputed, The Herd, and ultimately hosting Speak with Keyshawn Johnson and Paul Pierce. Known for her poise and professionalism, Taylor seemed firmly rooted in Fox’s lineup—until a bombshell lawsuit destabilized everything.

The Lawsuit That Shook FS1

In early January 2025, former on-set hairstylist Noushin Faraji filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court naming Fox Sports, Skip Bayless, Charlie Dixon (then EVP of content), and Joy Taylor among the defendants. The complaint detailed years of alleged harassment, retaliation, and workplace abuse from 2012 to 2024.

Key allegations include:

Claims that Bayless offered Faraji $1.5 million for sex and made unsolicited advances toward her.
Accusations that Dixon groped Faraji at Taylor’s 2017 birthday party. When Faraji reported the incident to Taylor, Taylor allegedly dismissed her, saying “get over it,” warning she held power over Faraji’s job status.
Allegations Taylor had sexual relationships with both Dixon and co-host Emmanuel Acho, and used those relationships to advance her position at the network—even admitting plans to feign misconduct claims about Dixon once he was no longer useful.
Faraji further alleged racial and ableist bullying, including mocking her Persian accent and PTSD coping strategies.

The lawsuit painted a portrait of a toxic, misogynistic culture enabled by network executives—raising serious concerns about systemic dysfunction at FS1.

How Fox Sports Responded (…or Didn’t)

Initially, Fox allowed Taylor to remain on camera, with the network issuing a brief statement: “We take these allegations seriously and have no further comment at this time given this pending litigation.” Taylor returned to Speak just one day after the lawsuit was filed, delivering that episode alongside her panel without addressing the scandal publicly.

In February, Fox suspended Dixon amid the fallout, though details of internal investigations remained undisclosed. Critics quickly pointed out a double standard: Taylor, a female host under allegations, remained active; Dixon—a male executive accused of physical misconduct—was sidelined. Observers questioned whether Fox would have acted as fast if the accused figure was female.

Meanwhile, prominent voices like Barstool’s Dave Portnoy dismissed the entire lawsuit as a publicity stunt, saying "time will tell" and urging the accused to publicly defend themselves if innocent

The Fallout: Ratings, Reputation & Show Cancellations

By mid-July 2025, Fox Sports announced the cancellation of Speak, The Facility, and Breakfast Ball—a sweeping restructuring attributed to low ratings and strategic content changes by FS1 executives.

Taylor’s departure marked the end of her run with the network—all amid ongoing speculation that the lawsuit contributed to her contract not being renewed, set to expire that summer .

Fellow hosts Emmanuel Acho and LeSean McCoy were also cut, with Acho publicly likening TV shutdowns to being benched in a game: “Trust God,” he wrote—from uncertainty to resilience.

Culture Clash: Broadcast Media Meets #MeToo Reckoning

This case exemplifies a broader crisis facing sports—and mainstream media: how power is wielded, how accusations are handled, and how female voices get silenced or vilified. Hustling through the ranks, Taylor built a respected career—yet she’s now at the center of scrutiny not only for the accusations against her but how she’s a part of a dysfunctional power ecosystem.

The lawsuit reignited debates about accountability, race, gender, and who gets protected in corporate sports culture.

What’s Next for Joy—and for Fox?

Taylor has remained silent publicly, except for posting resilience-themed content on social media—shifting focus toward her personal brand and podcasting platform Two Personal. Supporters rallied online, while professional uncertainty swirled.

For Fox Sports, the cancellation of long-time shows and introduction of new content—like Barstool Sports programming—signals a strategic pivot toward younger, edgier audiences. It also shows how scandal and ratings can drastically reshape a channel’s identity in months.

Final Word: When Scandal and Brand Collide

At a glance, the Fox Sports turmoil is about canceled television programs. But look deeper and it’s a reckoning—about how big media handles power, how institutions respond to allegations, and how the women in the spotlight are treated when storms roll in.

Whatever the case ultimately shows in court, what remains certain is that in today’s media environment, reputation—public and private—is as fragile as airtime.