Boomer Esiason and Gregg Giannotti on WFAN Photo credit: WFAN, via CBS Sports Network

Skip Bayless’s departure from television makes a lot more sense to Boomer Esiason after reading the bombshell lawsuit against Fox Sports.

Five months after Bayless’s eight-year tenure with FS1 came to an unceremonious end, he was named in a workplace misconduct lawsuit filed by former Fox Sports hairstylist Noushin Faraji. First reported by Front Office Sports, Bayless is being sued alongside Fox Sports EVP Charlie Dixon and FS1 host Joy Taylor featuring complaints of sexual battery and a hostile work environment.

WFAN’s Gregg Giannotti referenced the lawsuit Monday morning on WFAN, noting how it dominated the social media conversation Sunday, prompting Esiason to wonder if it was the real reason Bayless parted ways with FS1 in August.


“It kind of explains why Skip Bayless is no longer on TV,” Esiason said. “Somebody at Fox knew that those allegations were coming.”

The lawsuit was filed last Friday, although it’s reasonable to assume the network was already aware of what was coming. It was widely believed FS1 moved on from Bayless because of his dwindling ratings. Bayless, however, maintains he had been plotting this departure from FS1 for years, citing a realization of audiences moving toward digital platforms and a desire to break free of “bosses with huge egos.” Five months later, Bayless’s attempts at building his own digital following doesn’t seem like a person who had been planning this move for years.

The bombshell lawsuit accuses Bayless of making repeated, unwanted advances toward Noushin, including an offer of $1.5 million to have sex with him. Bayless has not addressed the allegations.

You can read more about the shocking allegations in the lawsuit here.

In a statement to Front Office Sports, Fox said: “We take these allegations seriously and have no further comment at this time given this pending litigation.”

[WFAN]

About Brandon Contes

Brandon Contes is a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. He previously helped carve the sports vertical for Mediaite and spent more than three years with Barrett Sports Media. Send tips/comments/complaints to bcontes@thecomeback.com