Fox Sports has officially terminated analyst and former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez, just weeks after he was involved in a violent altercation in Indianapolis that nearly turned fatal.
A Fox Sports spokesperson confirmed the news to TMZ on Friday morning but declined to provide further details. The development comes as The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported that Drew Brees will be joining Fox Sports as a new game analyst — effectively replacing Mark Sanchez.
According to reports, the 37-year-old former New York Jets star was charged with felony battery and three misdemeanors following a parking lot dispute that escalated into a physical fight outside an Indianapolis hotel on October 4, while Sanchez was in town to call an NFL game.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears described the situation as a senseless incident that spiraled out of control:
“We are literally talking about people fighting over a parking space… and it resulted in someone receiving incredibly significant injuries,” Mears said during a press briefing on October 6.
Mark Sanchez was reportedly stabbed during the altercation and has since been recovering. The truck driver involved in the incident, who claims he acted in self-defense, has filed a lawsuit against both Sanchez and Fox Sports.
Mark Sanchez, who remains free on bond, has not issued any public statement regarding the allegations. The court has permitted him to return to his home in California, and his trial is set for December 11 in Indianapolis.
Before his broadcasting career, Sanchez enjoyed a decade-long NFL run, most notably leading the New York Jets to two AFC Championship appearances. He later played for Philadelphia, Dallas, and Washington, before retiring in 2019.
He joined Fox Sports as a game analyst in 2021 after stints with ABC and ESPN — a career now abruptly derailed by serious legal trouble.
