Fox Sports 1 suspends analyst Gary Payton amid investigation

Gary Payton has been suspended by Fox Sports 1.

NBA analyst Gary Payton has been suspended by Fox Sports 1, a company spokesperson told Awful Announcing in a statement. 

Fox Sports 1 said it is currently conducting an internal investigation of Payton after he was accused of assault in a lawsuit. Payton reportedly denies the allegations.

The company said Payton was suspended as soon as it became aware of the accusations. The company statement:

Regardless of the circumstance, domestic violence is abhorrent and inexcusable and FOX takes these accusations very seriously.  As soon as we were made aware of the claim, we began an internal investigation. Mr. Payton was suspended immediately pending the completion of the investigation.  Out of respect for both parties we will not be making any additional statements. 

Payton has been working for Fox Sports 1 since 2013. He is a former NBA point guard who spent 18 years in the league and was a nine-time All-Star. 

The 46-year-old Payton retired following the 2006–07 season and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. 

- Molly Geary