According to sources, the decision to fire Horowitz was related to a sexual harassment investigation in the workplace at FOX Sports, which reportedly had begun a week ago.
- Jul 4, 2017
AceShowbiz - FOX Sports top executive Jamie Horowitz was abruptly fired on Monday, July 3 amid an investigation into sexual harassment. Los Angeles-based FOX Sports president Eric Shanks announced Horowitz's departure via an internal email sent to the employees at 1.06 P.M.
"I regret to inform you that Jamie Horowitz, President of National Networks for FOX Sports, will be leaving FOX Sports effective immediately. We realize this news may come as a surprise for many of you, but we are confident in this decision," the email read. "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."
Shank continued writing, "These values are non-negotiable. Until Jamie's replacement is named, I am stepping in to handle his former responsibilities including programming, marketing and scheduling for FS1 and FS2, as well as digital. All of these functions will now report directly to me. We understand how difficult this will be for many of you, but in these times it is important that we remain unwavering and focused in continuing the great work of FOX Sports."
21st Century Fox didn't explicitly explain why Horowitz had been fired. However, sources told Sports Illustrated that the decision was related to a sexual harassment investigation in the workplace at Fox Sports, which reportedly had begun a week ago.
Horowitz, who ran programming at FOX Sports since May 2015, hired lawyer Patricia Glaser to represent him in the matter. "The way Jamie has been treated by Fox is appalling," Glaser said in a statement. "At no point in his tenure was there any mention by his superiors or human resources of any misconduct, nor an inability to adhere to professional conduct. Jamie was hired by Fox to do a job, the job that until today he has performed in an exemplary fashion. Any slanderous accusations to the contrary will be vigorously defended."
Meanwhile, Daniel Petrocelli, a lawyer representing FOX Sports, issued a statement in which he countered the assertions made by Glaser. "Mr. Horowitz's termination was fully warranted and his lawyer's accusations are ill-informed and misguided," said Petrocelli in the statement.
The announcement of Horowitz's departure came a week after FOX Sports made major changes at the company. It included eliminating more than 20 writing and editing positions in Los Angeles.
Prior to working at FOX Sports, Horowitz had a short tenure at NBC News as general manager for "Today". He was fired in November 2014 after attempting to engineer a dramatic makeover of the show. He also executive produced at ESPN and ABC's "Good Morning America".
