Sports media personality Joy Taylor's contract with Fox Sports is set to expire this summer, creating uncertainty about her future with the network. The contract decision comes as Fox Sports has navigated various challenges, including several lawsuits alleging workplace misconduct.
Taylor currently hosts the weekday talk show Speak on FS1. She recently marked her ninth year with the network. Her contract status has not been publicly addressed by Fox Sports, which typically does not comment on talent agreements.
Taylor was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed by former hairstylist Noushin Faraji. While other individuals and the network face claims of sexual harassment and assault in explosive lawsuits, the allegations against Taylor primarily involved claims of mocking Faraji's accent and being dismissive of her experiences. Court records indicate settlement talks regarding the lawsuit remain ongoing.
Amid the network's legal issues and personnel changes, Taylor was sidelined from Speak for a two-week period earlier this year before returned in early March. Former FS1 executive Charlie Dixon, who was named in lawsuits by Faraji and former host Julie Stewart-Binks, was terminated by the network; Fox recently confirmed his departure.
Should Taylor become a free agent, she would likely attract interest from other media organizations. She has established herself as an opinionist in sports media, a role more commonly held by men, in addition to her experience as a moderator on shows like the former Undisputed, where she worked alongside Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe. That show, a former flagship program for FS1, was canceled last year.
Taylor has also expanded her content beyond traditional sports analysis. She recently relaunched her Two Personal podcast without former co-host Taylor Rooks, exploring lifestyle topics such as relationships and dating, including a conversation with Azar Farideh.
Her podcast has featured guests like Dr. Cheyenne Bryant.Some figures in sports media have publicly supported Taylor amid the negative coverage surrounding the Fox Sports lawsuits. Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports questioned why she was included as a defendant in the Faraji lawsuit, while NFL Network's Jane Slater defended Taylor's work ethic and character, stating she was unfairly targeted without sufficient proof.
The outcome of Taylor's contract talks could affect FS1's programming plans, particularly for Speak, where she is a prominent host alongside analysts like Emmanuel Acho and LeSean McCoy.