FOX Sports is facing a pivotal decision regarding the future of on-air personality Joy Taylor, whose contract is set to expire this summer amid several ongoing controversies.
Taylor, a prominent figure at FS1 since 2016, sparked backlash for on-air comments about quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was rumored to be heading to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Taylor criticized Rodgers for his absence from team activities despite not being signed to the team yet.
“We’re sitting around talking about ‘Aaron Rodgers is not there on the first day of OTAs,’” Taylor said. “Mandatory or not, where’s your pride? Where’s your dignity? Where’s your respect for the game? Where’s your respect for this organization?”
Taylor also has been named in a workplace misconduct lawsuit filed by former FOX Sports hairstylist Noushin Faraji. The lawsuit also implicates high-profile individuals such as Skip Bayless and executive Charlie Dixon.
Faraji’s lawsuit alleges a toxic work environment at FOX Sports, citing instances of sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. Specifically, Faraji accuses Taylor of mocking her English pronunciation and dismissing her complaints about inappropriate behavior by Dixon, allegedly telling Faraji to “get over it” and warning that their jobs depended on Dixon’s favor.
In response to the allegations, Taylor has denied any wrongdoing. A spokeswoman for Taylor stated that the accusations are “devoid of merit and appear to have been strategically framed to create unwarranted publicity.” Taylor has not publicly commented on the lawsuit.
Following the filing of the lawsuit, Taylor was absent from her show “Speak” for approximately two weeks. While FOX Sports did not provide an official reason for her absence, reports suggest it was related to the ongoing legal proceedings. Taylor has since returned to her hosting duties without addressing the allegations on air.
Taylor joined FOX Sports in 2016, starting as the moderator on ”Undisputed” alongside Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe. She later moved to “The Herd” with Colin Cowherd before eventually landing her own show, “Speak.”
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What complicates the situation is Taylor’s role within FOX Sports’ current talent ecosystem. FS1 has recently seen significant shakeups — including the departure of Dixon and the elevation of Emmanuel Acho as a leading face of the network.
Taylor’s future may be tied not only to the legal situation but also to how FOX wants to reshape its daytime talk lineup. If FOX allows her contract to expire, it may signal a shift in tone or direction for FS1’s on-air identity.
As Taylor’s contract approaches its expiration, FOX Sports faces a complex decision. Renewing her contract could be seen as a vote of confidence amid the controversy, while choosing not to renew may be interpreted as a response to the allegations. The network has not publicly commented on its plans regarding Taylor’s future.
