Emmanuel Acho makes first public appearance amid misconduct allegations involving Joy Taylor

Emmanuel Acho appears on ‘The Facility’ after being named in lawsuit alleging misconduct by Fox Sports personalities.

Emmanuel Acho appeared on Fox Sports’ show ‘The Facility’ on Monday, marking his first public appearance since being named in a high-profile lawsuit filed last week in Los Angeles. 

The former NFL linebacker joins a list of prominent Fox personalities, including Joy Taylor and Skip Bayless, accused of misconduct in the bombshell lawsuit brought by hairstylist Noushin Faraji.

The lawsuit alleges Taylor leveraged sexual relationships with Acho and network executive Charlie Dixon to secure career opportunities. Specifically, it claims the 37-year-old co-host used “her sexuality to get on a show” in 2020, allegedly seeking a spot on Acho’s program, ‘Speak.’ According to the filing, Taylor admitted to her relationship with Acho while dismissing potential conflicts involving Dixon.

Despite the swirling allegations, Acho, 34, opened ‘The Facility’ on FS1 without addressing the lawsuit. Instead, he launched into discussions about the NFL playoffs, maintaining a professional and upbeat demeanor. “What’s up family, it is a huge Monday show,” Acho said during the introduction. “It is officially in—the NFC and AFC playoff pictures are as clear as can be.” While his silence on the lawsuit may reflect a legal or strategic choice, it has left questions about how Fox and its personalities plan to address the growing controversy.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Faraji, spans incidents from 2012 to August 2024 and accuses Taylor, Bayless, Dixon, and Fox Corporation of fostering a hostile work environment. Claims include sexual battery, retaliation, and negligent supervision. Bayless is accused of offering Faraji $1.5 million for sex, while Dixon allegedly groped her. Taylor, in turn, is accused of dismissing Faraji’s complaints about harassment, advising her to “get over it,” and planning to accuse Dixon of misconduct when it suited her.

Attorneys for the defendants have yet to respond to the allegations, and representatives for Acho and Taylor have not issued statements. The case adds to the scrutiny Fox Sports faces over its workplace culture. As the lawsuit unfolds, the network will likely face increasing pressure to address the allegations and implement changes to prevent further issues.