Fox Sports executive fired amid sexual harassment probe

[LOS ANGELES] A Fox Sports executive was abruptly fired on Monday amid a probe by the US cable giant on sexual harassment in the workplace.

Jamie Horowitz, who oversaw programing for Fox Sports, was fired at his office in Los Angeles after two years on the job.

Fox Sports president Eric Shanks announced the dismissal in an email to employees that alluded to misconduct.

"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 the email which was carried by local media.

Mr Horowitz's attorney Patricia Glaser immediately hit back.

"The way Jamie has been treated by Fox is appalling," she said in a statement obtained by AFP.

"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. Jamie was hired by Fox to do a job, a job that until today he has performed in an exemplary fashion," she said.

"Any slanderous accusations to the contrary will be vigorously defended." The firing came as parent company 20th Century Fox has been battling allegations of sexual harassment that led to the firing last year of Fox News's powerful chairman Roger Ailes.

In May, Fox News also fired its star anchor Bill O'Reilly after a Los Angeles radio personality accused him of sexual misconduct.

Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox media company runs the most watched US cable news channel that is a favourite among conservatives.

The scandals have affected Fox's viewership and prompted speculation that they could hurt Mr Murdoch's multi-billion dollar bid to take over the European satellite giant Sky.

AFP