Meet Richard Giannotti: Joy Taylor's Ex-Husband Who She Allegedly Cheated On With Emmanuel Acho

Joy Taylor, the well-known Fox Sports host, has been thrust into the spotlight once again, this time over allegations of infidelity during her marriage to Richard Giannotti.

According to reports from SportsBrief, Taylor is accused of having an affair with former NFL player Emmanuel Acho, with claims surfacing that this relationship began while she was still married to Giannotti. These accusations come as part of a wider scandal involving allegations of misconduct and inappropriate relationships at Fox Sports.

READ MORE: 'Get Over It': Joy Taylor Accused of Silencing Hairstylist's Sexual Harassment Claims Against Skip Bayless

The Rise of Richard Giannotti

Richard Giannotti, a former professional baseball player, has lived a life defined by his achievements on and off the field. Born on 9 August 1983 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Giannotti excelled in baseball during his time at St. Thomas Aquinas High School.

His athletic prowess earned him a scholarship to the University of Miami, where he pursued a degree in business administration while continuing to shine as a star outfielder.

Drafted by the Anaheim Angels in 2004, Giannotti enjoyed a successful eight-year career in professional baseball. Following his retirement in 2012, he transitioned into the financial sector, founding Athlete Asset Management under Global Wealth Management.

As a financial advisor, he focuses on helping athletes manage their wealth, leveraging his experience to guide clients through the complexities of financial planning.

A Marriage in the Spotlight

Giannotti's relationship with Joy Taylor brought him significant media attention. The pair reportedly met in 2014, and their relationship quickly blossomed.

They became engaged in 2015 and tied the knot on 13 February 2016 in an elegant ceremony at Miami's Biltmore Hotel. Their marriage was celebrated widely, but cracks began to show not long after.

By 2017, the couple had divorced. According to filings referenced by Pulse Sports, the marriage ended after Giannotti discovered evidence of Taylor's alleged affair with Charlie Dixon, an executive at Fox Sports, and later, her alleged involvement with Emmanuel Acho. While neither party publicly addressed the reasons for their split, rumours of infidelity have persisted.

Allegations Against Taylor

The allegations against Taylor came to light as part of a lawsuit filed by Noushin Faraji, a former hairstylist at Fox Sports. According to the lawsuit, reported by the Daily Mail, Taylor engaged in relationships with both Dixon and Acho to advance her career.

The legal filing states that Taylor strategically used these relationships to secure opportunities, even allegedly scheming to accuse Dixon of sexual misconduct once he was no longer useful to her.

Faraji's testimony adds that Taylor's behaviour led to suspicions during her marriage to Giannotti. In one incident in 2016, during a dinner involving Taylor, Giannotti, Dixon, and Dixon's wife, Giannotti reportedly became suspicious of an inappropriate relationship between Taylor and Dixon. Soon after, he allegedly uncovered evidence of the affair, leading to their divorce.

Taylor is also accused of leveraging her relationship with Acho to secure a position on Fox Sports' "Speak for Yourself" programme. The lawsuit claims that Taylor dismissed concerns about the potential fallout of maintaining relationships with both Dixon and Acho, asserting her newfound power within the network.

Life After Taylor

Following his divorce from Taylor, Giannotti moved on, marrying Kristen Simigran in 2020. The couple share two sons, Banks Domenico Giannotti and Baker James Giannotti. Kristen is also a loving stepmother to Richard's son with Joy, Beau.

Giannotti has largely stayed out of the public eye, focusing on his career as a financial advisor and his family life.

Giannotti's professional success continues to flourish. As the president of Athlete Asset Management, he helps athletes navigate the complexities of wealth management, earning a reputation for his expertise and dedication. His net worth is estimated at approximately £16 million ($20 million), a testament to his hard work and versatility.

A Complex Legacy

Joy Taylor's career has continued to rise despite the controversies surrounding her personal life. She is now a prominent figure at Fox Sports, co-hosting several programmes and maintaining a significant presence in sports media.

However, the allegations of infidelity and her alleged use of relationships to advance her career have cast a shadow over her public image.

For Giannotti, the fallout from his marriage to Taylor appears to have strengthened his resolve. His focus remains on his family and his professional pursuits, and he has largely refrained from commenting on the allegations against his ex-wife.