Noushin Faraji, a former Fox hairstylist who worked part-time from 2012 to 2016 before transitioning to full-time until August 2024, filed the legal complaint in Los Angeles County court on Friday. Fox Sports, its parent company Fox Corporation, FS1, FS2, Fox Sports executive vice president of content Charlie Dixon, Skip Bayless, and FS1 host Joy Taylor were named defendants, according to the 42-page suit obtained by Front Office Sports.

In the class action suit, Faraji alleges sexual battery, a hostile work environment, retaliation and wrongful termination, as well as failure to pay minimum and overtime wages, among other claims.

“Ms. Faraji brings forth this action because for over a decade at Fox, she was forced to endure a misogynistic, racist, and ableist workplace where executives and talent were allowed to physically and verbally abuse workers with impunity,” the suit states.

“When Ms. Faraji and others came forward to report the wrongdoing, instead of addressing their concerns, Fox retaliated against them while the perpetrators and those who protected them were inexplicitly promoted.”

Fox Sports responded to the suit in a statement obtained by USA Today Sports.

“We take these allegations seriously and have no further comment at this time given this pending litigation,” the company said.

What are the allegations against Fox Sports executive Charlie Dixon?

Faraji alleges that Dixon touched her inappropriately during a birthday party for Taylor in West Hollywood in January 2017.

“Ms. Faraji felt very uncomfortable by his unsolicited touching and responded: “No, thank you.” Mr. Dixon then moved his hand lower and started rubbing her body and grabbing her buttocks. Ms. Faraji was mortified but quickly thought to fake an incoming call to escape from the situation,” according to the suit.

Faraji confided in Taylor, who she described as a friend, about the situation, but the sports personality told her to “get over it.” She explained that they both had their jobs because of Dixon. However, he could also take their positions away due to his status with the company.

The complaint also references an anonymous friend Faraji confided in after the incident with Dixon. The friend described Dixon as “disgusting” and said his behavior was unsurprising given “Fox’s culture.” However, the friend advised Faraji to stay silent if she wanted to keep her job and support her son.

In 2023, an anonymous television host revealed to Faraji that her contract with Fox would not be renewed unless she had sex with Dixon. The host also disclosed that Dixon had made similar demands to other female talent at the network.

Faraji also accused Fox of not investigating the situation regarding her and other instances where he used sexual advances to coerce women.

“As Fox knew or should have known of Mr. Dixon’s willingness and propensity to use his position to sexually harass women, Fox is liable for the materialization of that particular harm,” the suit reads.

What are the allegations against Fox personality Skip Bayless?

Faraji became Bayless’ hairstylist, cutting his hair once a week for the show. Initially, their conversations revolved around his life, work and other harmless topics. However, the dynamic quickly changed as Bayless began making sexual advances toward her.

“However, soon after the weekly haircuts started, Mr. Bayless began finding excuses to touch Ms. Faraji. He would give her lingering hugs after each haircut, putting his body against her own, pressing against her breasts. He then began to kiss her on her cheeks,” the suit states.

Faraji felt uncomfortable with Bayless’ advances and often made excuses to leave immediately after giving him his haircuts. She frequently cited needing to pick up her son or other reasons to avoid further interaction or contact with him. In other cases, he called her “voluptuous.” At times, her limited English was an issue for him.

She confided in a coworker about the situation, who advised her that because Bayless was a powerful man at the network, reporting his behavior would likely be ignored, as the network tended to protect certain employees.

In July 2021, Faraji hoped things would settle down with Bayless after revealing her cancer diagnosis, but he continued to pursue her despite her disclosure.

“Bayless told her that he wanted to be with her. Ms. Faraji panicked and began rambling that there were cameras everywhere, that she has a child, and that she does not want him,” according to the suit. “Bayless then grabbed her hands, began kissing them, and offered her $1.5 million to have sex. Ms. Faraji made an excuse to leave.”

Afterward, Bayless continued advancing toward Faraji until he left Undisputed in 2024.

What are the allegations against Joy Taylor?

Throughout the suit, Taylor is mentioned as someone who allegedly slept with Dixon to secure her position on Undisputed. The complaint also details how she and Dixon were both married at the time of their alleged affair.

Faraji, of Persian descent, also claimed that Taylor discriminated against her by mocking her accent and the English pronunciation of her name, the suit states. These instances happened between them after their friendship had ended.

Elsewhere in the suit, Faraji accused Taylor of using her sexuality in 2020 for a position on another show, Speak for Yourself, on the network. The show also featured former NFL player Emmanuel Acho, and Faraji had discovered that Taylor was having sexual relationships with Dixon and Acho at the same time.

“Ms. Faraji became alarmed and warned Ms. Taylor that she should probably not sleep with Mr. Dixon and Mr. Acho at the same time, as Mr. Dixon is a very powerful man that may become very angry, per the complaint.

“Ms. Taylor told her not to worry about it. She explained that she was also now powerful, and once Mr. Dixon was no longer useful to her, she would follow through on her plan to tell the company that he forced himself on her. She would not allow herself to be forced out by Mr. Dixon like other women talent.”