Last week, Julie Stewart-Binks found herself sitting alone in a quiet rooftop lounge near her New York City apartment, preparing to watch a clip from her time as a Fox Sports host and reporter. This particular moment had haunted her thoughts for years, and she had never wanted to revisit it. As she hit play on the video, her hands instinctively moved to shield herself from what she knew was coming.
The clip featured Stewart-Binks, then a 28-year-old on-air personality at Fox Sports 1, on the set of a pop-up show during the 2016 Super Bowl in San Francisco. The atmosphere was meant to mimic a Super Bowl party, complete with red Solo cups and beers on ice. Stewart-Binks was seated on a couch beside Jason Whitlock and guest Rob Gronkowski, discussing Gronkowski’s previous experience as a college stripper.
In a moment that would come to define her time at FS1, Stewart-Binks jokingly suggested that Gronkowski should perform a “Magic Mike” routine for extra money, referencing the movie about male exotic dancers. Gronkowski, taken aback, asked if she wanted a lap dance, to which she playfully responded in the affirmative. What followed was a brief, awkward dance routine where Gronkowski gyrated against Stewart-Binks while she laughed and handed him crumpled dollar bills.
As she watched the clip, Stewart-Binks’ face flushed red, and she broke out in hives, tears welling up in her eyes. She expressed deep regret, stating, “I will spend my entire life trying to make up for this moment that’s clearly not who I am.”
The aftermath of the Gronkowski segment was brutal for Stewart-Binks. She faced intense criticism, accused of undermining the progress of women in sports journalism and betraying feminism. Some of the harshest feedback came from her own friends and colleagues in the industry.
However, the context behind Stewart-Binks’ decision to participate in the segment sheds light on the turmoil she was experiencing. In a lawsuit filed against Fox and executive vice president Charlie Dixon, Stewart-Binks revealed that she had been sexually assaulted by Dixon a week before the Gronkowski incident. She detailed a disturbing encounter where Dixon made derogatory comments about her talent and then made unwanted advances in a hotel room.
Despite reporting the assault to Fox’s human resources in 2017, Dixon remained at the company, leading Stewart-Binks to feel abandoned and unprotected by her employer. The trauma of the assault and the subsequent fallout from the Gronkowski segment took a toll on her mental health and career prospects.
Since leaving Fox Sports, Stewart-Binks has worked various freelance roles in sports broadcasting and entertainment. However, she believes that the shadow of the Gronkowski incident has hindered her opportunities for advancement in the industry.
The recent lawsuit filed by former FS1 hairstylist Noushin Faraji against Fox and Dixon served as a catalyst for Stewart-Binks to come forward with her own story. Reading about Faraji’s experiences pushed her to confront her own pain and seek accountability for the harm she endured.
As she reflects on her journey post-Fox Sports, Stewart-Binks grapples with feelings of self-doubt and wonders about the alternate path her life could have taken. Despite the challenges she has faced, she remains determined to speak her truth and advocate for a safer, more equitable workplace for all.
