Mark Sánchez has been fired by Fox Sports following his arrest last month in connection with a dramatic stabbing incident. The former NFL quarterback had served as a television analyst for the network since 2021.
A Fox Sports spokesperson confirmed Sánchez’s departure on Friday, November 7, stating, "We can confirm Mark Sanchez is no longer employed by the network." The spokesperson added, "No further comment at this moment."
Sánchez, 38, was arrested on October 4 in Indianapolis. He had been in the city to broadcast an NFL game between the Indianapolis Colts and Las Vegas Raiders for Fox Sports the following day.
The former New York Jets star allegedly became involved in an altercation with 69-year-old delivery driver Perry Tole. The dispute reportedly centered on the location of Tole’s parked box truck in an alley near a popular Indianapolis bar.
The physical confrontation resulted in Sánchez being stabbed multiple times. Tole sustained a significant facial injury. Both men were transported to a local hospital for their injuries, where Sánchez was subsequently arrested.
Initially, Sánchez faced three misdemeanor charges: battery resulting in injury, public intoxication, and unlawful entry into a motor vehicle. Prosecutors later added a Level 5 felony charge on October 6, which carries a potential prison sentence of one to five years. Sánchez has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Fox Sports’ decision to part ways with Sánchez was foreshadowed by reports on November 5 from The Athletic. The publication stated that former NFL quarterback Drew Brees had been hired by Fox Sports as a new analyst, effectively filling Sánchez’s role.
At a pre-trial hearing on October 22, Sánchez’s attorney, Tim Delaney, informed the Marion County, Indiana, court that his client was still recovering from the incident. "He is still recovering from the injuries he suffered and the medical intervention," Delaney stated.
Delaney emphasized that Sánchez’s recovery process is "still ongoing" and "could impact some of the dates" as the case progresses. Judge James B. Osborn has scheduled a final pre-trial hearing for December 2, with the jury trial set to commence on December 11.
Sánchez first addressed his arrest and injuries publicly on October 12, outside the Marion County Jail in Indianapolis. "Right now I’m just focused on my recovery," Sánchez told Fox59 News and CBS 4 Indy. He expressed gratitude, saying, "I just want to thank the first responders, Eskenazi Hospital. I want to thank Dr. Lindsey Mossler, the surgeon. She saved my life, so I’m very grateful for that."
Tole filed a lawsuit against both Sánchez and Fox Corporation on October 6. The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, along with costs, expenses, and attorney fees.
According to the lawsuit, Tole suffered "serious bodily injuries" due to Sánchez’s "malicious, intentional, reckless, or grossly negligent conduct." The legal filing also claims Tole endured "permanent disfigurement, loss of function, other physical injuries, emotional distress, and other damages."