Report: FOX settles Skip Bayless sexual harassment lawsuit with former hairstylist Noushin Faraji

FOX settled the Skip Bayless sexual harassment lawsuit with former hairstylist Noushin Faraji, according to Margaret Fleming of Front Office Sports. Faraji accused Bayless and former executive Charlie Dixon of unwanted sexual advances.

Faraji’s Thursday request to dismiss her individual claims were granted in California Superior Court on Tuesday. The network told The Hollywood Reporter “We are pleased that this matter has been resolved.”

Faraji’s suit included a class action portion that claimed Fox failed to pay minimum wage, per the report, which will proceed. She originally filed the lawsuit in January, mentioning Bayless.

Faraji, who worked at Fox Sports from 2012 until August of 2024, made a series of allegations in a lawsuit against Fox Sports. Dixon and now-former FS1 host Joy Taylor were listed as the other defendants in a lawsuit filed.

Faraji worked on Undisputed, previously hosted by Bayless and Shannon Sharpe. The latter later left the network and has since parted ways with ESPN.

“The suit alleges that (Bayless) began giving Faraji ‘lingering hugs and kisses on the cheek while putting his body against hers and pressing against her breasts,’” the report of the original lawsuit read. “The single mother alleges she repeatedly told Bayless she was not interested in him and did not ‘date at work.’ She also claims she told Bayless she was suffering from ovarian cancer, after developing issues with her left ovary, in an effort to halt his advances.

“Instead, Bayless became more aggressive over the years, according to the suit. He allegedly offered Faraji $1.5 million to have sex with him–and claimed he could ‘change’ her life. The suit also claims (he) accused Faraji of sleeping with Shannon Sharpe, his co-star on Undisputed.”

The suit, obtained by FOS, further details interactions between Bayless and Faraji. However, the matter has since been resolved.

“Approximately one week later, Mr. Bayless made another advance at Ms. Faraji. Ms. Faraji responded: ‘Skip, stop, you have a wife.’ Mr. Bayless responded: ‘Aren’t you Muslim? Doesn’t your dad have three to four wives?’ Ms. Faraji responded that her father was dead, and when Mr. Bayless looked taken aback, she made an excuse to leave,” the suit read.

Skip Bayless sexual harassment lawsuit settled

It wasn’t just the former Undisputed host. Faraji alleged Dixon grabbed her buttocks at a birthday party in West Hollywood. When she confided in Taylor about the incident, Taylor allegedly said “get over it.”

While Bayless proposed sexual favors, Taylor allegedly began “insulting Ms. Faraji on a personal and professional level,” per the lawsuit. The suit alleged Taylor mocked the English pronunciation of Faraji, who is of Persian descent.

Bayless was most known for his time on ESPN’s First Take alongside Stephen A. Smith. Eventually, the long-time paired hosts split up as the former took his debate show to FS1.

Bayless originally signed a four-year, $32 million deal in 2021, according to The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand. He left in 2024.

Bayless, a Vanderbilt alum, began his journalism career in print at the Miami Herald following graduation. A long career featuring radio and television expanded into the debate show format.

Following the success of ESPN’s Pardon The Interruption and Around the Horn, Bayless’ show Cold Pizza, which evolved into First Take, caused his and Smith’s popularity to skyrocket. A polarizing figure in sports media, Bayless has since started his own independent show.