Former FS1 host Joy Taylor was recently asked by former NFL MVP Cam Newton whether there were racial implications behind the network’s decision last month to cancel three of its shows. The exchange, which took place during Newton’s Freaky Friday digital program, highlighted the growing conversation around diversity and representation in sports media.
Newton, who announced a multi-year agreement Wednesday with ESPN, posed the question directly to Taylor. “It’s hard for me to see what happened at Fox and not really ask the question of do you think that there was some type of racial implication for a lot of [those] let go,” Newton asked.
Taylor, who previously co-hosted Speak on FS1 and has been a prominent figure in sports television for nearly a decade, responded with pause. She stopped short of declaring race as a factor but acknowledged the weight of the public perception.
“I think we will see,” Taylor said. “I think that the public reaction certainly would reflect that. I don’t know exactly what’s going to play out within the cancellation, so I can’t speak exactly to what their plans are. I think it’s premature for me to speak on that now. But I do think like with anything, actions speak louder than words. So we will see.”
Taylor was among many cuts at the network among the three shows. Outside of Speak, Taylor’s co-hosts Keyshawn Johnson and Paul Pierce were also let go by the network. The Facility was a newer addition to FS1’s lineup, launching less than a year ago. The show featured a rotating panel of former NFL players, including Emmanuel Acho, Chase Daniel, James Jones, and LeSean McCoy all of whom were cut by the network.
Newton pushed the conversation further, pointing out that several African American talents were among those who lost their platforms when FS1 scaled back its studio lineup. “This is what I see,” Newton explained. “I see African American talent being let go. I’m seeing murmurs of, ‘Where are you going from here?’ and it’s Caucasian advances. That’s what I see.”
While Newton described his view as an “outside looking in” observation, his remarks rang with Taylor in response saying, “We share the same eyes.”
For Taylor, who has navigated both national television and radio roles, the challenge lies in separating speculation from fact until Fox Sports itself provides clarity on its strategy. She repeated her belief that the ultimate story will be told not in statements, but in actions.
“There were three shows cut,” she said. “Like I said, I think actions speak louder than words. We’ll see what happens.”
The cancellations came as part of Fox Sports’ broader effort to streamline FS1’s daytime programming. FOX Sports announced a partnership with Barstool Sports in July forming a daily morning show titled Wake Up Barstool which debuts on Tuesday. The network also added another hour of First Things First earlier this week featuring former Breakfast Ball co-host Danny Parkins.
Taylor did not announce any future plans for returning to work in sports media.
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