Former Fox Sports anchor and reporter Julie Stewart-Binks has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles county Superior Court, alleging that Fox sports executive vice president Charlie Dixon sexually assaulted her in 2016 while she was employed at the network. The complaint, filed on Friday, details a disturbing encounter that Stewart-Binks claims occurred following a meeting to discuss an upcoming Super Bowl assignment.
According to the lawsuit, Dixon “pushed her against a wall, pinned her arms, and forcibly kissed Stewart-Binks” in January 2016. Stewart-Binks alleges that she reported the incident to a Fox human resources representative, but the network “egregiously made the deliberate decision to protect Dixon and allow a sexual predator to remain an executive at fox for nearly a decade.”
This lawsuit is not the first to target dixon. Earlier this month, Noushin Faraji, a former hairstylist at Fox sports, filed a separate lawsuit alleging that Dixon groped her at a co-worker’s birthday party in January 2017. Faraji claims that Dixon “rubbed her body and groped her buttocks” during the event.
Dixon has not responded to multiple requests for comment. In a statement,Fox Sports said,“These allegations are from over eight years ago. At the time, we promptly hired a third-party firm to investigate and addressed the matter based on their findings.”
Stewart-Binks, who worked full-time at FS1 from its launch in 2013 until 2016, was assigned to host Jason Whitlock’s pop-up show for the 2016 Super Bowl.The lawsuit states that Dixon invited her to a hotel bar in Marina Del Rey, Calif., to discuss the assignment. However, the meeting took a dark turn when dixon allegedly began berating her, saying, “You’re not funny, captivating, or talented.” He further demeaned her by stating, “The only way someone would watch you is if you got on top of this bar and took your top off,” and “You’re not hot enough to be a hot girl on TV.”
Dixon then invited Stewart-Binks to his hotel room under the pretense of having a beer and viewing the balcony. Feeling pressured because Dixon was her boss, Stewart-Binks reluctantly agreed. Once in the room,Dixon allegedly “swiftly pushed her against the wall and pinned her arms to her side.” The complaint describes how Dixon “tried to force his tongue into her mouth” while pressing his body against hers. Stewart-Binks managed to flee the room and immediately called a friend to disclose the incident.
The lawsuit highlights Stewart-Binks’ fear of retaliation, notably as her contract was up for renewal. She chose not to report the incident at the time,fearing it would jeopardize her career. Days later, while working on Whitlock’s Super Bowl show in San Francisco, stewart-Binks was subjected to further inappropriate comments during a production meeting.
Key Details of the Lawsuit
Table of Contents
| Key Point | Details |
|————————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Plaintiff | Julie Stewart-Binks |
| Defendant | Charlie Dixon and Fox Sports |
| Allegations | Sexual assault in january 2016 |
| Incident Location | hotel in Marina Del Rey, Calif. |
| Fox Sports’ Response | claims allegations were investigated by a third-party firm eight years ago |
| Additional Lawsuit | Noushin Faraji alleges groping by Dixon in January 2017 |
Stewart-Binks’ lawsuit sheds light on the alleged toxic culture at Fox Sports, where executives like Dixon are accused of exploiting their power. The case raises critical questions about workplace safety and accountability in the media industry. As the legal proceedings unfold, the spotlight remains on Fox Sports and its handling of such serious allegations.Former Fox Sports Reporter Stewart-Binks Opens Up About Harassment and the Gronkowski Stunt That Changed Her Career
In a shocking revelation, former Fox Sports reporter Carly Stewart-Binks has detailed the emotional toll of a workplace culture marred by harassment and the infamous Rob Gronkowski stunt that derailed her career. The incident, which unfolded in 2016, has resurfaced in a legal complaint, shedding light on the challenges she faced in the male-dominated sports media industry.
Stewart-Binks was thrust into the spotlight during a segment where she was encouraged to coax Rob Gronkowski,the former NFL star,into performing “Magic Mike moves” — a reference to the 2012 movie about male exotic dancers. The goal was to create a “viral moment,” but the stunt quickly spiraled out of control.
“Ordinarily, ms. Stewart-Binks would have considered the implications of such a performance,” the complaint states. However, fresh off an alleged assault by Jamie Dixon, a fox Sports executive, she felt compelled to prove herself. “She had to show Dixon and Fox that she had what it took to be a fun,interesting personality capable of handling big moments on TV.”
The segment, which can be viewed here, shows Gronkowski straddling Stewart-Binks and gyrating his hips while she sits on a couch. The backlash was immediate,with Stewart-Binks bearing the brunt of the criticism.
The aftermath: A Career in Limbo
The fallout from the Gronkowski incident, coupled with the alleged harassment by Dixon, took a “profound emotional toll” on Stewart-Binks. Just a month later, in March 2016, she was informed that her contract with Fox Sports would not be renewed.Stewart-Binks attempted to move forward, taking on smaller roles with ESPN, CBC, and other outlets. Today, she hosts a podcast with former NHL player Nate Thompson, works as a reporter for SNY and the PWHL, and serves as a brand ambassador for the BetRivers Sportsbook Network.
Yet, the scars remain. “Each time she saw a former colleague from Fox thriving on the national stage while she remained covering smaller markets, a pang of frustration lingered,” the complaint reveals. “Intrusive thoughts would enter her mind on how different her life could have been if she had just had sex with Dixon, but she would shut them down.”
Fox Sports’ Response: A Mixed Bag
In June 2017, Stewart-Binks was contacted by a Fox human resources official investigating allegations against Jamie Horowitz, another FS1 executive. While she had nothing substantive to share about Horowitz, she recounted her experiance with Dixon. According to the complaint, two Fox employees corroborated her account.
Horowitz was fired in July 2017,but Dixon remained at the network. In a memo to staffers,then-Fox Sports president Eric Shanks emphasized the importance of respect and professional conduct. “These values are non-negotiable,” he wrote.
Moving Forward: Healing and Advocacy
To cope with the emotional toll of her experiences, Stewart-Binks sought professional help. Her story serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by women in sports media and the need for systemic change.
| Key Points | Details |
|————————————-|—————————————————————————–|
| Gronkowski Stunt | Stewart-Binks coaxed Gronkowski into performing “Magic Mike moves.” |
| Alleged Harassment | Jamie Dixon’s verbal and physical assault left a profound emotional toll. |
| Career Impact | Contract not renewed; moved to smaller roles in sports media. |
| Fox Sports’ Response | Jamie Horowitz fired; Dixon remained at the network.|
| Current Roles | Podcast host, reporter for SNY and PWHL, brand ambassador for BetRivers. |
Stewart-Binks’ journey is a testament to resilience. While her career trajectory may not have been what she envisioned,her courage in speaking out has sparked important conversations about workplace culture in sports media.
photo: Scott Winters / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Interview with Carly Stewart-Binks: reflecting on Harassment and the gronkowski Stunt
Editor: Carly, thank you for joining us today. Your lawsuit against Fox Sports has brought to light some serious allegations about the workplace culture there. Can you share more about your experience with Jamie Dixon and how it impacted your career?
Carly Stewart-Binks: Thank you for having me. My experience with Jamie Dixon was deeply troubling. The alleged verbal and physical assault left a profound emotional toll on me. I felt pressured to prove myself in an environment that seemed to value sensationalism over professionalism. This, coupled with the infamous Gronkowski stunt, derailed my career at Fox Sports.
editor: Speaking of the Gronkowski stunt, can you walk us through what happened and how it affected you personally and professionally?
Carly Stewart-Binks: Sure. In 2016, I was encouraged to coax Rob Gronkowski into performing “Magic Mike moves” during a segment. The goal was to create a viral moment, but it quickly spiraled out of control. Gronkowski ended up straddling me and gyrating his hips while I sat on a couch. The backlash was immediate, and I bore the brunt of the criticism. Professionally, it led to my contract not being renewed just a month later. Personally,it was a humiliating experience that I still struggle with to this day.
Editor: After leaving Fox Sports, you took on smaller roles with ESPN, CBC, and other outlets. How did you cope with the emotional toll of your experiences?
Carly Stewart-Binks: It was incredibly challenging. I sought professional help to deal with the emotional trauma. Each time I saw a former colleague from Fox thriving on the national stage while I remained covering smaller markets, a pang of frustration lingered. I had to remind myself that my worth wasn’t defined by my job title or the size of the audience I was reaching.
Editor: Fox Sports conducted an internal investigation into the allegations against Jamie Horowitz, another executive at the network. Can you tell us more about that?
Carly Stewart-Binks: In June 2017, a Fox human resources official contacted me as part of an investigation into allegations against Jamie Horowitz. While I didn’t have much to share about Horowitz,I recounted my experience with Jamie Dixon. Two fox employees corroborated my account. Horowitz was fired in July 2017, but Dixon remained at the network. It was a mixed bag in terms of accountability.
Editor: Today, you host a podcast with former NHL player Nate Thompson, work as a reporter for SNY and the PWHL, and serve as a brand ambassador for the BetRivers Sportsbook Network. How do you reflect on your journey and the systemic issues you faced?
Carly Stewart-Binks: My journey has been one of resilience. While my career trajectory may not have been what I initially envisioned, I’m proud of where I am today. Speaking out about my experiences has been incredibly difficult, but it’s also been empowering. It’s my hope that by sharing my story, we can spark vital conversations about workplace culture in sports media and push for systemic change.
Editor: Thank you, Carly, for your courage and for sharing your story with us. It’s a stark reminder of the challenges faced by women in sports media and the need for greater accountability.
Carly Stewart-Binks: Thank you. It’s my hope that we can continue to push for a more inclusive and respectful industry for everyone.
Key Takeaways:
- Gronkowski Stunt: Carly Stewart-Binks was involved in a viral segment with Rob Gronkowski that had important personal and professional repercussions.
- Alleged Harassment: Jamie Dixon’s alleged verbal and physical assault left a lasting emotional impact on Stewart-Binks.
- Career Impact: Stewart-Binks’ contract was not renewed, leading her to take on smaller roles in sports media.
- Fox Sports’ Response: Jamie horowitz was fired, but Jamie Dixon remained at the network despite allegations against him.
- Current Roles: Stewart-Binks is now a podcast host, reporter for SNY and the PWHL, and brand ambassador for BetRivers.
Photo: Scott Winters / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
