Sage Steele announced on Tuesday that she is leaving the network after settling a lawsuit she filed against the company for allegedly violating her free speech rights.
Steele was suspended for two days in September 2021 after she made comments on former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler’s podcast about Disney’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. She called the mandate “sick” and “scary,” and she also said that she didn’t believe in the science behind the vaccines.
ESPN said at the time that Steele’s comments violated the company’s policy on workplace conduct. However, Steele sued ESPN, alleging that the company had violated her First Amendment rights and retaliated against her for her comments.
The terms of the settlement between Steele and ESPN were not disclosed. However, Steele said in a statement that she was leaving ESPN so that she could “exercise my first amendment rights more freely.”
“I am grateful for so many wonderful experiences over the past 16 years and am excited for my next chapter!” she wrote.
Sage Steele joined ESPN in 2007 as a SportsCenter anchor and reporter. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a regular contributor to ESPN First Take, Mike & Mike in the Morning, and SportsNation. In 2013, she was named the host of NBA Countdown on ESPN and ABC. She also hosted the Scripps National Spelling Bee from 2010 to 2013 and was a guest host on The View in 2014.
In September 2021, Steele made controversial comments on a podcast about ESPN’s vaccine mandate and former President Barack Obama’s race. ESPN reportedly reprimanded her for the comments, and she later sued the network for allegedly retaliating against her.
Steele’s journey with ESPN was marked by both success and controversy. She was a talented broadcaster who made significant contributions to the network, but she also made some missteps that ultimately led to her departure. She will be remembered as a polarizing figure who always spoke her mind, even when it got her in trouble.
Steele’s departure from ESPN is the latest in a series of high-profile exits from the network in recent months. In April, ESPN announced that it was laying off 300 employees as part of a cost-cutting measure. And in May, ESPN anchor Jemele Hill left the network to join The Atlantic.
Steele’s departure is a blow to ESPN, as she was one of the network’s most popular anchors. She was a regular on SportsCenter and NBA Countdown, and she also hosted her own show, Sage Steele Is Off the Clock.
It remains to be seen where Steele will go next. She has said that she is “excited for my next chapter,” and she has hinted that she may start her own podcast.