Stephen A. Smith Defends Skip Bayless in Lawsuit

Stephen A. Smith has publicly defended his longtime friend Skip Bayless amidst serious allegations outlined in a lawsuit filed against Bayless, Joy Taylor, network executive Charlie Dixon, and the Fox Corporation. The lawsuit claims Bayless offered ex-FS1 hairstylist Noushin Faraji $1.5 million for sex and details various instances of sexual harassment and a hostile work environment from 2012 to 2024. Smith, who has known Bayless for 25 years, expressed disbelief at the allegations, emphasizing that Bayless is notoriously frugal and wouldn't part with such a large sum of money. While defending Bayless, Smith acknowledged the importance of not dismissing the allegations entirely, stating that it's reckless for those uninformed to act as if they know the truth. He highlighted that Bayless is a private individual who typically does not socialize much. Smith stressed that while he supports his friend, he is not privy to any inside knowledge regarding the lawsuit, making it clear he won't involve himself further.