Jerry Davis, Former Fox Sports Music Director, Sues For Discrimination

OUSTED AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC MANAGER SUES FOX SPORTS

FOR RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

Los Angeles, California – June 5,  2014 – On February 4, 2013, while on disability leave for stress, anxiety, depression, and related physical conditions, FOX Sports Music Director Jerry Davis 54, received notice from FOX’s Human Resources Department that his position had been eliminated.  He was immediately relieved of his duties. Davis worked for FOX Sports as a Director for close to sixteen years and was the central figure responsible for building the FOX Sports music department.

Davis, an African American, had been skipped over at least four times for consideration as Vice President of the department. Instead, less competent and experienced candidates were selected.  In fact, of the thirty-four individuals employed at or above the Vice President position within FOX Sports, none are African-American.

With all communications severed by FOX Sports and no opportunity to seek internal mediation, Davis faced no other option but to sue his former employer for wrongful termination and violation of his civil rights. The California Department of Fair Housing and Employment granted permission for the formal suit on file in the Los Angeles Superior Court.  The Davis litigation team is presently preparing to depose former FOX Sports Chairperson, David Hill.

According to court documents, when the position of Vice President became vacant, Davis was repeatedly discouraged by FOX Sports personnel from applying for the position.  He applied nevertheless and was consistently passed over.  On at least two occasions, Davis learned the Vice President position had been vacant and filled only when the new hire walked in and was introduced in a staff meeting.

In spite of the industry’s potential, Jerry Davis’ experience at FOX Sports reveals an ugly, racist shadow that denies ethnic minority participation in that economic growth.

When asked about the lawsuit outcomes, Davis said, “My hope is the litigation creates a pathway for persons of color to the executive level of FOX Sports and other networks – where “merit” not “race” is the controlling selection factor.”

Despite a demeaning and minimizing work environment, Davis remained focused and continued to excel in his work. During his tenure at FOX Sports, Davis negotiated music rights with leading production companies such as Universal and Atlantic Records, building Fox’s music library and generating $2.26M in revenues. Davis also developed the first music policy and procedure protocol to navigate the legal waters attendant with the onslaught of digital download. In addition to coordination of musical selections with sports programming such as the popular “The Best Damn Sports Show Period,” Davis leveraged personal connections within the music industry to book top entertainment for the sports shows such as Justin Bieber, Ozzy Osbourne, Sinead O’Conner, Queen Latifah, Vince Neil of Motley Crue, P. Diddy, Ludacris, Rick Ross, with Travis Barker & DJ AM.