Fox Sports executive fired over allegations of misconduct

Los Angeles : A Fox Sports executive was abruptly fired on Monday over allegations of misconduct in the latest scandal over workplace behavior to hit the giant cable network.

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

His dismissal came as parent company 20th Century Fox has been rocked by several claims in recent months of sexual harassment involving senior executives.

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

He did not provide specifics and neither he nor an attorney representing the network could immediately be reached for comment.

"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," Shanks said in his email, carried by local media.

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."

Last year, Fox News's powerful chairman Roger Ailes left the company following allegations of sexual misconduct. In May the network also parted ways with 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 favorite among conservatives.

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