Stephen A. defends Skip Bayless amid Fox Sports misconduct allegations

Stephen A. highlights Skip Bayless’s reserved nature while addressing sexual misconduct claims in Fox Sports lawsuit.

Stephen A. Smith has spoken out in defense of his longtime friend and former colleague Skip Bayless, who is facing serious allegations outlined in a lawsuit against Fox Sports.

Filed in Los Angeles, the suit names Bayless, Joy Taylor, network executive Charlie Dixon, and Fox Corporation, accusing them of sexual harassment, sexual battery, negligent supervision, and retaliation over incidents spanning from 2012 to 2024.

The lawsuit, filed by former FS1 hairstylist Noushin Faraji, includes claims that Bayless offered her $1.5 million for sex. On his show, The Stephen A. Smith Show, Smith addressed the allegations indirectly, emphasizing his knowledge of Bayless's character while refraining from commenting on the case's specifics.

"I’ve known Skip for 25 years, and I can’t imagine it,” Smith stated, adding that Bayless’s personality and habits don’t align with the claims. He humorously noted Bayless’s frugality: "The Skip Bayless I know has a hard time giving away $15.” However, Smith clarified that he lacks direct knowledge of the situation and would not speculate irresponsibly.

Smith highlighted Bayless's meticulous and reserved nature, describing him as someone who avoids socializing and adheres to routine. "Eating the same breakfast and lunch every day, his vice is a diet Mountain Dew... imagining him in this kind of situation is shocking, to say the least," he remarked.

Smith also addressed the broader context of the lawsuit, which accuses Taylor of using personal relationships to advance her career and dismissing Faraji’s complaints against Bayless and Dixon. While expressing respect for Taylor, Smith found it difficult to reconcile these allegations with her advocacy for women’s empowerment.

Bayless’s abrupt departure from Fox Sports in August 2024, without an on-air farewell, has added to the intrigue surrounding the lawsuit. Meanwhile, Taylor appeared on FS1’s Speak on Monday evening alongside co-hosts Paul Pierce, Keyshawn Johnson, and Michael Irvin, marking her first public appearance since the allegations surfaced.

Smith concluded his remarks by reiterating his heartbreak over the situation, emphasizing the importance of withholding judgment. “I can’t attach truth or guilt to anything I know nothing about,” he said, underscoring the complexity and sensitivity of the case.