A lawsuit alleges that Fox Sports' Joy Taylor engaged in sexual relationships with former NFL player Emmanuel Acho and a network executive to further her career.

 

Published: 13:52 GMT, 6 January 2025 | Updated: 14:10 GMT, 6 January 2025

FS1 host Joy Taylor is accused of using sexual relationships with former NFL star co-host Emmanuel Acho and Fox Sports executive Charlie Dixon to advance her career, according to a bombshell lawsuit involving several major figures in the sports media industry.

The lawsuit, filed Friday in Los Angeles on behalf of hairstylist Noushin Faraji, also claims that Taylor schemed to protect her position at the network by fabricating a sexual misconduct allegation against Dixon, the executive vice president in charge of talent at Fox Sports.

"Once Mr. Dixon was no longer useful to [Taylor], she would follow through on her plan to tell the company that he forced himself on her," the lawsuit states.

The suit names Taylor, Dixon, former FS1 host Skip Bayless, and the Fox Corporation, detailing claims of sexual battery, negligent supervision, retaliation, and other hostile workplace issues between 2012 and August 2024. Bayless is accused of offering Faraji $1.5 million for sex, while Dixon allegedly groped the stylist's buttocks. Taylor is also accused of dismissing Faraji's complaints of sexual harassment, telling her to "get over it."

Faraji's lawsuit goes further, alleging that Taylor admitted to using sex to climb the career ladder—first with Dixon, then with Acho. Faraji began suspecting in 2016 that Taylor and Dixon were having an affair, despite both being married at the time. Faraji alleges that after joining Taylor for a drink in Santa Monica, she realized that the two were likely romantically involved, based on their body language.

At that time, Taylor was a fill-in host, but she would later secure a full-time role at FS1. Faraji claims that Dixon insisted on her hiring despite Bayless's objections. Bayless reportedly told Faraji that he didn’t want Taylor on the show, but Dixon pushed for her involvement, even arranging a dinner where Taylor arrived dressed provocatively. Despite Bayless's resistance, Dixon allegedly persuaded him to approve of Taylor as a favor.

Faraji’s lawsuit also alleges that Taylor’s marriage to Richard Giannotti ended in part due to evidence of her affair with Dixon. In August 2016, during a dinner with Taylor, her husband, Dixon, and Dixon's wife, Taylor’s husband allegedly discovered proof of her affair, leading to their divorce.

The lawsuit further alleges that in 2020, Taylor used her sexual appeal to get a spot on Acho’s program, "Speak for Yourself." Faraji claims that Taylor admitted to sleeping with Acho and dismissed concerns about Dixon's jealousy. Faraji also warned Taylor that juggling relationships with both Dixon and Acho could anger Dixon, but Taylor reportedly brushed off the warning, saying that she had power now and would eventually accuse Dixon of misconduct once he was no longer useful to her.

In a curious twist, Acho has since deleted a social media post in which he praised Taylor's professionalism.

Fox Sports has issued a brief statement acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations and stating that they will allow the legal process to unfold. Taylor, Bayless, and Acho have remained silent on the matter.

"We take these allegations seriously and will allow the legal process to run its course," said the network. "We have no further comment at this time."

DailyMail.com has reached out to Taylor's foundation for comment. Attorneys for Bayless, Dixon, and Taylor have not yet been provided to Los Angeles Superior Court.

Taylor, who was once engaged to former NBA player-turned-coach Earl Watson, has since split from him.