Ex-Fox Sports Reporter Sues Network Over Sexual Assault Claims

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Ex-Fox Sports Reporter Sues Network Over Sexual Assault Claims \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Ex-Fox Sports reporter Julie Stewart-Binks filed a lawsuit against the network and executive Charlie Dixon, alleging sexual assault and workplace retaliation. She claims Dixon coerced her to his hotel room in 2016, assaulted her, and later undermined her career when she resisted. Inspired by a recent lawsuit against Fox Sports, Stewart-Binks seeks damages for emotional distress and demands workplace reforms to prevent further abuse.

Fox Sports Sexual Assault Lawsuit: Quick Look

Julie Stewart-Binks Files Lawsuit: The former Fox Sports reporter accuses executive Charlie Dixon of sexual assault in 2016.
Alleges Career Retaliation: Claims Fox sidelined her after she rejected Dixon’s advances.
Incident Occurred Before Super Bowl: Says Dixon coerced her to his hotel room, then pinned her against a wall and tried to kiss her.
Fox Sports’ Response: The network says a third-party investigation took place years ago but hasn’t disclosed its findings.
Inspired by Another Lawsuit: Stewart-Binks spoke out after a former Fox hairstylist sued Dixon for similar misconduct.
Seeks Accountability: The lawsuit demands damages for emotional distress and stronger workplace protections.
Fox Faces Growing Scrutiny: The case adds to ongoing allegations of harassment in sports media.

Deep Look

Lawsuit Alleges Assault by Charlie Dixon in 2016

Julie Stewart-Binks, a former Fox Sports reporter and anchor, filed a lawsuit Friday against the network and top executive Charlie Dixon, alleging that he sexually assaulted her in 2016 and later damaged her career after she resisted him. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, comes after a former Fox Sports hairstylist also sued the company earlier this month, accusing Dixon of groping her and a former host of making unwanted sexual advances.

Stewart-Binks says she was inspired to speak out after learning of the hairstylist’s lawsuit. In her complaint, she accuses Fox Sports of fostering a culture that allowed powerful men to exploit female employees and then silence them through intimidation and career repercussions.

Fox Sports spokesperson Andrew Fegyveresi responded to the lawsuit, stating that the allegations date back over eight years and that a third-party firm had investigated the claims at the time. However, he did not disclose what the investigation found or how Fox addressed the matter.

From Rising Star to Retaliation: Stewart-Binks’ Career at Fox

Stewart-Binks, a Canadian journalist, joined Fox Sports 1 in 2013, covering soccer and hockey. She was later selected to report at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and covered major events like the Stanley Cup Playoffs and U.S. national soccer teams. By 2014, she became the main sideline reporter for the Anaheim Ducks.

The lawsuit outlines how Fox Sports’ leadership changed in 2015, with Jamie Horowitz becoming president and Charlie Dixon hired as executive vice president of content. According to Stewart-Binks, Dixon and Horowitz had complete control over which reporters and anchors were given airtime, making them key decision-makers in her career advancement.

In early 2016, Stewart-Binks was told she would appear on Jason Whitlock’s Super Bowl special, House Party By the Bay. The night before a scheduled meeting about the show, she received a text message from Dixon, asking her to meet him at his hotel room in San Francisco.

Allegations of Assault in Dixon’s Hotel Room

According to Stewart-Binks, Dixon initially criticized her abilities, saying she wasn’t “funny, interesting, or talented” enough for the Super Bowl show. He allegedly told her she wasn’t capable of handling big TV moments and claimed that viewers would only watch her if she “got on the bar and took off her top.”

She says she tried to defend herself, hoping to prove her professionalism. Dixon then invited her to his hotel room under the pretense of showing her the view from his balcony. Once there, Stewart-Binks says Dixon pinned her against the wall, restrained her arms, pressed his body against hers, and attempted to force his tongue into her mouth.

She pushed him away and fled the room, the lawsuit states.

The next day, she attended the Super Bowl production meeting but remained silent about the incident. Despite Dixon’s comments, she was still confirmed to appear on the Super Bowl show—but was pressured to ask New England Patriots star Rob Gronkowski about his “Magic Mike” stripper moves.

Aftermath and Retaliation

Following the show, Stewart-Binks faced intense backlash online, with critics accusing her of setting women back in sports media for engaging in sexually suggestive banter with Gronkowski.

Her lawsuit alleges that Fox forced her to stay silent, all while Dixon’s assault and the negative media attention took an emotional toll on her.

After that Super Bowl, she claims that Dixon and other executives sidelined her, gradually removing her from high-profile assignments. She eventually left Fox Sports, believing her career had been sabotaged because she rejected Dixon’s advances.

Since leaving Fox, she has worked with ESPN, CBS Sports, NBC Sports, TNT, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) during its coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Inspired to Speak Out After Another Fox Lawsuit

Stewart-Binks says she chose to go public after learning of the January 5 lawsuit filed by a former Fox Sports hairstylist. That lawsuit alleged that a former on-air host made repeated unwanted advances, while Dixon sexually harassed and groped her.

Her lawsuit seeks damages for emotional distress and asks that Fox be required to implement stronger protections against workplace harassment.

“Ms. Stewart-Binks hopes that by seeking justice, and by doing so publicly, sports networks will recognize the necessity of ridding those who abuse power and those who protect them,” the lawsuit states.

Fox’s Response: Investigation But No Transparency

Fox Sports has not directly addressed Dixon’s alleged actions beyond stating that an investigation took place years ago. The network’s spokesperson declined to elaborate on:

What the third-party investigation uncovered.
What disciplinary action, if any, was taken against Dixon.
Whether Dixon still holds power in hiring and firing talent at Fox Sports.

What Happens Next?

Stewart-Binks’ lawsuit adds to growing scrutiny of workplace misconduct at Fox Sports, especially as other former employees step forward with allegations. The case will now proceed through the Los Angeles County court system, where:

Fox Sports and Dixon will be required to respond.
Evidence, including text messages and internal communications, may be presented.
Witnesses, including other former employees, could testify.

If successful, the lawsuit could force Fox Sports to implement stricter policies against harassment and potentially lead to further investigations into past misconduct at the network.

Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment for Sports Media Accountability

The allegations against Fox Sports and Charlie Dixon highlight ongoing concerns about abuse of power in sports media. As more women come forward with claims of harassment and retaliation, networks may be forced to reevaluate their workplace cultures.

Stewart-Binks’ case is not just about one incident of alleged assault—it represents a broader fight against systemic harassment in the industry. The lawsuit’s outcome could set a precedent for how sports networks handle allegations of misconduct moving forward.