• Loading stock data...
Sunday, May 4, 2025

ESPN Anchor Sage Steele Removed From Air

  • Sage Steele expected to be off the air at ESPN for at least a week due to Covid-19 and recent controversy.
  • Steele is under fire for her resistance to mandated vaccine shot — and comments about Barack Obama.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Editor’s note: This story was updated on Oct. 12, 2021, noting Sage Steele’s return to ESPN.

Update: Steele will return to her normal noon “SportsCenter” duties on Thursday, Oct. 14, ESPN confirmed to FOS Tuesday night. Steele last anchored “SportsCenter” on Sep. 24.

Previous: ESPN anchor Sage Steele has been removed from the air, sources told Front Office Sports.

The co-anchor of the noon “SportsCenter” is expected to be off for at least a week, said sources. Steele is also expected to skip her turn as host of the espnW: Women + Sports Summit, which takes place Oct. 18-20.

Steele has tested positive for COVID-19, according to sources. But her not appearing on air goes beyond her diagnosis.

The ESPN anchor has also been the target of online criticism from former ESPN talent — including Jemele Hill and Keith Olbermann — for her stated resistance to vaccine shots mandated by ESPN and parent Walt Disney Co., as well as her recent podcast comments about Barack Obama.

Her critical comments about Disney did not go over well in Bristol or Burbank. Both ESPN and Steele thought it was appropriate for her to take some time off, said sources.

Steele issued a public apology for her recent comments on Tuesday morning. ESPN said the matter was being handled internally.

“I know my recent comments created controversy for the company, and I apologize,” wrote Steele.

The network declined to comment on whether Steele’s hiatus is due to internal discipline or possible suspension.

“We are having direct conversations with Sage and those conversations will remain private,” said ESPN in a statement.

During an appearance on “The Uncut with Jay Cutler” podcast, Steele objected to the “sick and scary” mandate that all Disney employees be vaccinated by Sept. 30.

Steele is also getting blowback for questioning why Obama chose to identify as Black on a census.

“Well, congratulations to the President, that’s his thing,” said Steele. “I think that’s fascinating considering his Black dad is nowhere to be found, but his white mom and grandma raised him, but OK. You do you. I’m gonna do me.”

During her 14-year career at ESPN, Steele has held many key on-air jobs, including host of “NBA Countdown” and sister Disney network ABC’s telecast of the Tournament of Roses Parade.

Pulling Steele from the air may be a prudent move by ESPN to take the heat off, but some sources speculate the network might end up buying out her contract, à la Hill and Michelle Beadle.

“This looks like it could be tracking to a buyout,” said a source.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Fubo-TV

Fubo Loses Subscribers; Focused on Disney Deal Despite Antitrust Probe

The streaming company plans to debut its planned sports bundle this fall.
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; ESPN president John Skipper during the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium.
exclusive

Former ESPN President John Skipper Leaving Meadowlark Media

Skipper co-founded the company with host Dan Le Batard in 2021.

Formula One Courts Bidders As ESPN Exclusivity Laps Out

The motorsports property is in the final year of its ESPN deal.

Stephen A. Smith for President? Trump Says He’d ‘Love to See Him..

Smith has publicly flirted with an Oval Office run for months.

Featured Today

Athlos

Nike Wants to Pull Off the First Women’s Sub-4:00 Mile

Experts speak on whether Nike’s “moonshot” is realistic or a gimmick.
Apr 12, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; MLB umpire Ron Kulpa (46) calls a third strike during a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field
May 4, 2025

Pro Refs Get Offered Free Lasik for Better Calls. Some Took It

Some pro officials have sprung for the offer for free corrective surgery.
Mint juelps
May 3, 2025

Inside the 120,000-Cup Mint Julep Frenzy of Kentucky Derby Weekend

The official cocktail at Churchill Downs costs $22—or $5,000.
May 1, 2025

How Larry Collmus Became the Longest-Running Kentucky Derby Caller

Collmus will call his 15th straight Derby on NBC.

The Future of TV Ratings Is Here, and Sports Is the Big..

Nielsen aims to make its Big Data + Panel the standard for broadcasters.
April 29, 2025

NFL Draft Hits Historic Viewership Highs Thanks to Sanders Saga

Drama around the fall of Shedeur Sanders likely contributes to robust viewership.
Jordon Hudson
April 30, 2025

Bill Belichick Accuses CBS of ‘Selectively’ Editing Awkward Girlfriend Clip

The North Carolina coach cited his “professional” relationship with Jordon Hudson.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Portfolio Players is our bi-weekly spotlight on the athletes and investors reshaping the business of sports. This week, venture capitalist Kai Cunningham unpacks why athletes land top deals and how the usual investing rules don’t always apply.
April 25, 2025

NFL Draft Round 1 Draws 13.6M Viewers, Second-Highest Ever

With stars staying on the board, viewers tuned in.
April 25, 2025

Goodell: Three NFL Games Every Christmas Moving Forward

The league is returning to scheduling three games on the holiday this season.
April 25, 2025

Knicks, Rangers to See Big Cut in MSG Networks Media-Rights Fees

The teams will each see big reductions in their local media-rights fees.
April 24, 2025

Comcast Leans On Sports As Revenue Slides and Cord-Cutting Grows

NBC Sports’ rights portfolio remains a company bedrock.