A bombshell report shook up the sports media world last month. According to a January 5 report from Front Office Sports, Noushin Faraji, a former make-up artist for Fox, claims that she was sexually harassed on several occasions during her tenure. Famed media personalities, Skip Bayless and Joy Taylor were among the most prominent names in the lawsuit.
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Charlie Dixon Placed on Administrative Leave
Things had cooled for a bit on the news cycle. Taylor continued to appear on air for the record and to this point, neither of them have made any comments in regard to the lawsuit. But on February 3, the first official response toward the allegations was put into motion. Fox Sports EVP Charlie Dixon, who is also named in the investigation has been placed on administrative leave.
"Fox Sports executive vice president Charlie Dixon, a co-defendant in two lawsuits filed last month in which he was accused of sexual battery, has been placed on administrative leave, sources briefed on the matter told The Athletic," The Athletic writes.
Dixon Allegedly Lured Anchor to Hotel Room By Lying
According to the outlet the complaint, Dixon lured his co-worker, Julie Stewart-Bink to his hotel room, by coercing her into believing that he wanted discuss one of her assignments and show her the view of the room. But instead he tried to force himself on her.
"Stewart-Binks said in an interview and in her complaint that Dixon's alleged assault followed at meeting at a hotel bar, which she attended after Dixon conveyed that he wanted to discuss her assignment at the 2016 Super Bowl," the outlet added.
"Later, he asked her to come to his room to see the view from his balcony, and it was there where the alleged assault occurred.According to her complaint, Stewart-Binks spoke to a Fox human resources representative in 2017 and disclosed what Dixon allegedly said to her in that meeting and what occurred on the balcony of his hotel room."
The suit also alleges that Joy Taylor was having an affair with Dixon which was one of the main reasons she landed such a prominent role at the network, despite having little experience in the industry.
"It came as a surprise when Fox announced that Ms. Taylor—who was a bartender and radio host in Miami with very little TV experience—would be the moderator of the new show, a sports debate program, Skip and Shannon: Undisputed," the suit reads.
"Mr. Bayless later disclosed to Ms. Faraji that he did not want Ms. Taylor on the show. But Mr. Dixon was adamant that Ms. Taylor should star. At first, Mr. Dixon arranged a dinner between Mr. Bayless and Ms. Taylor where she arrived in provocative clothing and acted in a provocative manner. When that did not change Mr. Bayless's opinion of Ms. Taylor, Mr. Dixon asked him to approve of her as a favor to him. Reluctantly, Mr. Bayless agreed to do so as a favor to his friend."
