Jamie Horowitz, president of Fox Sports National Networks, has been fired from the company following an internal investigation into accusations of sexual harassment.
Horowitz’s dismissal Monday comes nearly a year to the day that former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson filed a sexual harassment suit against then-FNC boss Roger Ailes. That suit would trigger an outside investigation that resulted in Ailes’ dismissal, and, over the next 10 months, the departures of several executives, the implementation of new measures to prevent such workplace behavior, the hiring of a new HR manager, and the dismissal of top-rated host Bill O’Reilly.
The Los Angeles Times reports Horowitz’s dismissal came about a week after Fox began investigating allegations of sexual harassment.
The company interviewed several women at L.A.-based Fox Sports about Horowitz’s behavior, according to a person familiar with the investigation who was not authorized to publicly discuss it. The women included prominent on-air personalities and show producers, according to two people who requested anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the investigation.
“Everyone at Fox Sports, no matter what role we play, or what business, function or show we contribute to — should act with respect and adhere to professional conduct at all times,” said Fox Sports President Eric Shanks in an email to staffers.
The Times reports Horowitz met with Fox Sports’ human resources executives Monday, who told him that he was being fired, effective immediately.
“The way Jamie has been treated by Fox is appalling,” said Horowitz’s attorney, Patricia Glaser. “At no point in his tenure was there any mention by his superiors or human resources of any misconduct, or an inability to adhere to professional conduct.”
Horowitz joined Fox Sports in 2015 a few months after being let from NBC News.
You may recall Horowitz’s career at NBC News was over before it began. Hired as SVP and GM of the Today show in the summer of 2014, he was to officially start Dec. 1, but he was let go in November after then-NBC News president Deborah Turness said Horowitz was “not the right fit” for the iconic news show.