Fox’s OutKick Targeted a Transgender Teen

Fox Corporation’s OutKick launched an unprecedented, months-long media campaign against a single, unnamed transgender high school volleyball player in Michigan, publishing 19 articles that allegedly enabled her public outing and harassment. This intense focus amplified a parent’s federal Title IX complaint over locker room privacy and competitive fairness, leading to an investigation that threatens school funding and the suspension of a sympathetic athletic director. The controversy raises serious questions about media ethics and the targeting of vulnerable minors for political gain.

Key Points

OutKick reporter Dan Zaksheske authored 18 of 19 articles targeting one transgender athlete at Ann Arbor Skyline High School
The coverage resulted in the student being doxxed with her full name, photos, and personal information posted online
A Monroe parent filed a federal Title IX complaint citing locker room privacy violations and competitive fairness concerns
An athletic director was placed on administrative leave after expressing sympathy for the targeted student

OutKick’s Unprecedented Campaign Against Michigan Teen

Between September and November 2025, OutKick reporter Dan Zaksheske conducted an extraordinary media blitz against a transgender girl playing volleyball for Ann Arbor Skyline High School. Zaksheske attended multiple games, filmed minors playing sports, and published content at a rate unprecedented for local high school athletics coverage. The Fox-owned outlet’s obsessive focus on one student raises serious questions about media ethics and the targeting of vulnerable minors for political gain.

The coverage amplified complaints from Monroe High School parent Sean Lechner, whose daughter competed against Skyline. Lechner alleged his daughter was forced to share locker room facilities with the transgender athlete without prior notification from school administrators. This complaint formed the basis for federal action that could threaten school funding and athletic programs across Michigan.

How Fox’s OutKick Relentlessly Targeted a Michigan Teen Girlhttps://t.co/UX8RUdpMYS #transgender #trans #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA

— Transgender World (@jackmolay) December 21, 2025

Federal Complaint Targets School Districts and Athletic Authority

On December 5, 2025, Lechner filed a formal Title IX complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, alleging sex-based discrimination and privacy violations. The complaint specifically targets Ann Arbor Skyline High School, Monroe Public Schools, and individual administrators for allowing biological males in girls’ sports and locker rooms. This represents the first federal investigation of its kind in Michigan, potentially exposing schools to loss of federal funding if violations are confirmed.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association confirmed issuing one transgender eligibility waiver for fall 2025 but refused to specify whether it applied to the Skyline athlete, citing privacy concerns. This lack of transparency has drawn criticism from Republican lawmakers who argue taxpayers deserve accountability regarding policies affecting girls’ athletics. MHSAA’s previous near-bankruptcy from a 2008 Title IX lawsuit demonstrates the serious financial risks the organization faces from federal enforcement actions.

Chilling Effect Silences Supporters of Traditional Values

Monroe Public Schools athletic director Chet Hesson was placed on administrative leave within 24 hours of publicly expressing sympathy for the transgender student. This swift disciplinary action sends a clear message to school officials that supporting policies allowing biological males in girls’ sports carries professional consequences. The punishment effectively silences voices that might question the appropriateness of these arrangements in educational settings.

The controversy has exposed the vulnerability of parents and students who raise legitimate concerns about privacy and fairness in girls’ athletics. While OutKick’s coverage brought national attention to these issues, it also demonstrates how activist media can amplify local grievances into federal investigations that protect girls’ rights under Title IX.