FOX has taken a significant step in the legal case involving former NFL quarterback and current broadcaster Mark Sanchez, 39, who was dismissed by Fox Corporation following his arrest in Indianapolis, Indiana. Sanchez, who played quarterback in the NFL and starred collegiately at the University of Southern California, was arrested after an alleged physical altercation with a truck driver.
The alleged victim has since filed a lawsuit against Sanchez and FOX Sports. Earlier this month, Fox Corporation moved to shift the case to federal court, according to court filings, marking a key development in the ongoing litigation, The Spun reported.
“In a Dec. 22 filing, Fox Corporation points out that Sanchez and itself are both out-of-state defendants. It goes on to claim the parent company of St. Elmo Steak House, Indiana-based Huse Culinary, was ‘fraudulently joined’ to the lawsuit with the sole intention of preventing the case from moving to federal court,” Tim Spears of WISH TV reported.
“Sanchez…is a California resident, and Fox is a Delaware corporation, with its principal place of business in New York,” he added.
Sanchez was accused of attacking and beating a 69-year-old delivery driver Perry Tole. He was subsequently fired from his job as an NFL football analyst for Fox Sports. The family of former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez has released a statement following his firing.
“It’s been a long month for Mark as he continues to recover from serious injuries while also grieving the loss of a close friend,” said Nick Sanchez Jr. in a family statement, IndyStar reported. “While the recent news — and its timing — is understandably disappointing, our priority remains his continued healing and recovery. Mark deeply values his time at Fox and the exceptional colleagues he’s had the privilege to work with. Those relationships are meaningful and will endure.”
The statement marks the first public comment from Sanchez’s family since his arrest in Indianapolis, where police say he was involved in a physical confrontation that left both men seriously injured.
According to authorities, Sanchez got into an altercation with Tole, a truck driver collecting used cooking oil from the loading dock of the downtown Westin hotel on Oct. 4. Sanchez was in the city to broadcast the following day’s game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Las Vegas Raiders for Fox.
A police affidavit states that Sanchez, who allegedly smelled of alcohol, entered Tole’s truck without permission and physically blocked and shoved the driver.
Tole then pepper-sprayed Sanchez, and when Sanchez continued to advance, Tole pulled a knife to defend himself. Sanchez suffered multiple stab wounds to his upper right torso and was hospitalized.
Photos later surfaced online showing Tole with a deep facial wound and wearing a neck brace in a hospital bed. Authorities confirmed that Tole was also treated for injuries sustained in the fight.
Sanchez faces a Level 5 felony charge of battery resulting in serious bodily injury, along with three misdemeanor counts: battery resulting in injury, public intoxication, and unlawful entry of a motor vehicle. Tole, who maintains that he acted in self-defense, has not been charged.
He has filed a civil lawsuit against both Sanchez and Fox Sports, seeking unspecified damages.
Sanchez was booked on Oct. 12 after his release from the hospital and briefly spoke with a reporter while leaving jail. He has not commented publicly since.
His defense attorney told the court that Sanchez is continuing his recovery and was unable to attend a preliminary hearing on Oct. 22. A trial date has been set for Dec. 11 in Marion County.
Fox Sports announced Sanchez’s dismissal less than an hour before confirming that Purdue University legend Drew Brees would replace him as an NFL game analyst.
Brees, a former New Orleans Saints quarterback and Super Bowl MVP, made his debut alongside play-by-play announcer Adam Amin during the network’s Week 11 coverage on Nov. 16. Amin had previously partnered with Sanchez in the broadcast booth.