After a lengthy 16-year tenure, Sage Steele has bid farewell to ESPN in pursuit of exercising her First Amendment rights without restraint.
The former “SportsCenter” anchor announced her departure on August 15, expressing gratitude for the enriching experiences during her time with the network.
In an official statement, ESPN acknowledged the mutual decision to part ways with Sage, recognizing her significant contributions throughout the years.
This development follows Sage’s resolution of a lawsuit against ESPN in 2022, wherein she alleged violations of her constitutional rights and state free-speech laws due to her suspension over remarks concerning the network’s COVID vaccine policy and Barack Obama’s racial background.
The catalyst for these events stemmed from Sage’s appearance on the “Uncut With Jay Cutler” podcast in September 2021.
During the episode, she criticized ESPN and its parent company’s vaccine mandate as well as shared her views on her biracial identity, citing an encounter with Barbara Walters where she felt belittled for her mixed heritage.
ESPN’s response to Sage’s podcast statements included a 10-day suspension and retraction from key assignments, emphasizing the importance of respectful expression aligned with the company’s values and policies.
In light of the ensuing controversy, Sage issued an apology, acknowledging the need for constructive communication amid challenging times.
Legal action ensued in 2022 as Sage’s lawyers accused ESPN of distorting her comments, leading to coerced apologies, unwarranted media scrutiny, and defamation by colleagues.
Court documents revealed ESPN’s settlement offer of $501,000.00 plus legal fees to address Sage’s grievances, although specific terms of the agreement remained undisclosed upon their parting of ways in August.
Sage’s decision to depart ESPN signifies her commitment to upholding her rights to freedom of speech and standing firm in her beliefs, setting a precedent for individuals navigating similar challenges in the media landscape.
As she embarks on a new chapter post-ESPN, the industry awaits the next steps in her career trajectory and the impact of her principled stance on the broader discourse within sports broadcasting.
