Former Fox Sports host Skip Bayless and the network have reached a settlement in a sexual battery and retaliation lawsuit filed by a former hairstylist. The dismissal request by plaintiff Noushin Faraji was approved on 28 August, with no details of the settlement disclosed. Fox Sports issued a brief statement saying it was pleased the matter had been resolved.
The lawsuit, filed in January in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleged that Bayless propositioned Faraji with $1.5 million to have sex with him in July 2021. It accused Bayless of repeatedly pressuring her, including making further advances and inappropriate comments. Faraji also claimed she faced a hostile work environment at Fox Sports and was retaliated against after reporting the behaviour.
The suit named Bayless, Fox Sports, current host Joy Taylor, and FS1 content vice president Charlie Dixon as defendants. It alleged that Faraji was fired shortly after Bayless left FS1 in August 2024, using fabricated business necessities as a pretext. Bayless's departure was officially described as amicable but was linked to declining ratings and the cancellation of his show Undisputed.
Fox Sports stated it took the allegations seriously. Bayless's representatives did not respond to requests for comment. Shannon Sharpe, a former co-host mentioned in the suit, briefly addressed the matter on his podcast, saying it had nothing to do with him. The settlement brings an end to the legal proceedings without any admission of liability.
