A hairstylist has taken legal action against former Fox Sports host Skip Bayless, claiming sexual harassment during her tenure with the network.
The lawsuit, which was filed by Noushin Faraji in California Superior Court, accuses Bayless of making unwanted advances over several years. Faraji alleges that these advances included inappropriate physical contact such as lingering hugs and kisses on the cheek, as well as promises to change her life in exchange for sexual favors. In one incident, she claims Bayless offered her $1.5 million for sex, a proposition she declined, subsequently leading to threats against her job.
Court documents indicate that Faraji worked at Fox Sports for over ten years. During her employment, she reports having received continuous harassment from Bayless, spanning from 2017 until 2024, when the harassment allegedly ended with Bayless’s departure from the network. Following her rejection of Bayless’s offer, Faraji alleges she was terminated from her position under what she describes as false pretenses.
The lawsuit further accuses the Fox network of cultivating a toxic work environment that permitted senior executives and personalities like Bayless to engage in abusive behavior without repercussions. It seeks unspecified damages not only from Bayless but also from Fox Sports and its parent company, Fox Corporation. Faraji is also pursuing class-action status for the lawsuit to represent other employees who claim they were not compensated for overtime or received full wages.
Responses from the involved parties have been limited. Fox Sports has stated that it views the allegations seriously; however, it has refrained from commenting further due to the ongoing legal proceedings. Attempts to contact Bayless for a statement were unsuccessful as his attorney, Jared Levine, did not respond to requests for comment.
This legal battle comes after previous allegations of sexual harassment within the network, notably leading to the 2017 dismissal of Fox Sports’s head of programming. This historical context adds weight to the current claims, suggesting a pattern within the organization that Faraji’s lawsuit aims to address.
The lawsuit against Skip Bayless highlights ongoing issues of workplace harassment and the responsibilities of media organizations to ensure a safe environment for all employees. This case’s outcome may have implications for industry standards regarding employee treatment and company accountability.
Source: Local10
