Skip Bayless Faces Major Legal Battle in Shocking Lawsuit – What You Need to Know

A lawsuit filed in Los Angeles on Friday brings serious accusations against longtime television sports personality Skip Bayless, alleging that he made persistent, unwanted sexual advances towards a former Fox Sports hairstylist.

The woman, Noushin Faraji, claims that Bayless, who was a host at Fox Sports at the time, pressured her into a sexual relationship. According to the lawsuit, Bayless even offered Faraji $1.5 million in exchange for sex after she shared with him that she had been facing a cancer scare in 2021. The legal filing highlights a pattern of behavior where Bayless allegedly used his position and influence to attempt to coerce Faraji into a sexual encounter.

The lawsuit, initially reported by Front Office Sports, outlines serious accusations against Skip Bayless, alleging repeated unwanted sexual advances and harassment toward former Fox Sports hairstylist Noushin Faraji. Fox Sports, in a statement, acknowledged the gravity of the allegations but declined to comment further, citing the ongoing legal proceedings. Bayless’ attorney did not respond to requests for comment.

In addition to Bayless, the lawsuit also implicates Fox Sports 1 host Joy Taylor, who is accused of dismissing Faraji’s complaints when she allegedly faced unwanted groping by Fox Sports executive Charlie Dixon at a party. Both Taylor and Dixon have not commented on the allegations.

The lawsuit states that Faraji, who worked for Fox Sports part-time and then full-time starting in 2012 until her termination in 2024, first began working with Bayless in late 2016. Bayless, then co-hosting the show Undisputed, requested her services as his personal hairstylist. Initially, their interactions were professional, but Bayless soon began initiating unwanted physical contact. The suit claims that his behavior escalated from lingering hugs that made Faraji uncomfortable to kissing her on the cheek and making inappropriate comments about her physical appearance, including calling her “voluptuous.”

Despite repeatedly declining Bayless’ advances and expressing that she was a single mother focused on her job, Faraji alleges that Bayless persisted. According to the suit, Faraji and a co-worker considered reporting the harassment but feared that Fox Sports would protect powerful individuals like Bayless, which led Faraji to choose a different course of action. The suit claims that, out of fear of losing her job, Faraji decided to respond to Bayless’ advances with kindness, even though she felt pressured.

Bayless continued to pursue Faraji over the years, making sexual advances that she rejected by offering excuses about her son, changing the subject, or making light of the situation with jokes. In 2021, after Faraji disclosed to Bayless that she was facing a potential cancer diagnosis related to an ovarian issue, the suit claims that Bayless reacted by offering her $1.5 million to have sex with him, despite her attempt to appeal to his sympathy in hopes of him ceasing his advances. Faraji allegedly excused herself to leave the situation.

The harassment reportedly continued, and in June 2024, shortly before Bayless’ departure from Fox Sports, he allegedly made a more direct proposition to Faraji, expressing his fantasies about her and asking how much money it would take for her to accept his offer. Faraji, according to the suit, responded by reiterating that she had already turned down his $1.5 million offer and was not interested.

According to the lawsuit, after Faraji continued to turn down Skip Bayless’ advances, he allegedly responded with the statement, “The more you say no, the more I want you.” This comment is said to have added to the discomfort and pressure Faraji felt as Bayless persisted in his inappropriate behavior toward her.

Faraji’s friendship with Joy Taylor reportedly began in March 2016, after Taylor made the move from Miami to Los Angeles. The lawsuit details that this friendship developed around the time Taylor was adjusting to her new life in California, with both women working together at Fox Sports.

The lawsuit claims that, in response to Faraji’s allegations, Joy Taylor surprisingly told her to “get over it” and further explained that she had only secured her position at Fox Sports because of Charlie Dixon’s influence. Taylor also allegedly stated that Faraji’s job had been granted due to Taylor’s recommendation. Taylor warned Faraji that Dixon had the power to take away both of their jobs. Additionally, another co-worker supposedly advised Faraji to remain silent about the situation.

The lawsuit asserts that Faraji is now seeking justice for the harassment she endured. It claims that Faraji understands Dixon used his authority to manipulate women into sexual situations and justifies his actions by using his power to coerce and grope her.

The lawsuit also includes claims of a hostile work environment based on sex, race, national origin, and disability, along with allegations of negligence, retaliation, and wrongful termination. It further accuses Fox Sports of failing to address a toxic atmosphere that negatively impacted Faraji’s work experience.

According to the suit, Faraji’s relationship with Joy Taylor deteriorated in late 2021. After their friendship ended, Taylor reportedly began insulting Faraji both personally and professionally, particularly targeting her ethnicity, as Faraji is of Iranian descent. In 2023, the lawsuit claims Taylor openly mocked Faraji’s English and began criticizing her for humming, which Faraji used as a coping mechanism for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to her past experiences.

Faraji was reportedly fired shortly after Skip Bayless left Fox Sports, with the lawsuit asserting that her termination was based on a false pretext. Despite being an accomplished hairstylist who was frequently requested by on-air talent, the suit claims that Faraji’s value was reduced to her ability to appease Bayless. Once Bayless departed, Faraji’s job was no longer secure, according to the filing.

Bayless left Fox Sports in 2024 and now hosts The Skip Bayless Show podcast, while Taylor currently serves as the host of the FS1 show Speak. In the lawsuit, Faraji is seeking a variety of damages, including equitable, compensatory, emotional, and punitive damages, as well as attorneys’ fees, to be awarded through a jury trial.

Additionally, the suit contains class-action allegations, asserting that Fox Sports employees were not properly compensated for all the hours they worked. This includes claims that employees were not paid for overtime or reimbursed for business expenses, further highlighting alleged workplace violations.