• Loading stock data...
Saturday, October 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

ESPN’s Ben McDonald Stays on Padres-Cubs Call Despite NHL Flap

ESPN sticks with McDonald after his viral hockey “zero chance” jab.

Elimination Day: MLB’s Dramatic Wild-Card Tripleheader Hits ESPN

A day of drama ends with Red Sox–Yankees in prime time.

YouTube Carriage Fight: NBC In (for Now), Univision, Monumental Out

NBC stays on the air with YouTube TV, while some others go dark.
opinion

Troy Aikman Keeps Showing Why He’s NFL’s Best Analyst

Aikman’s blunt honesty stands out against many of his peers.

Featured Today

Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
FARMINGDALE, NY - SEPTEMBER 23: Rory McIlroy of Team Europe hits out of the rough on the first hole during the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York.
September 25, 2025

Ryder Cup in New York: Record-Setting Hopes and Fan Concerns

Organizers anticipate record attendance and revenue, but worry remains about fan behavior.
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Josh McCray (2) runs against Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green (41) and defensive back Keon Sabb (3) in the second half at Sanford Stadium.
exclusive

College Football Viewership Is Up Double Digits. Here’s Why

Average game viewership is up by more than 10% so far.
Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) throws the ball during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Alabama in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
October 1, 2025

Alabama-Georgia Draws 10.4M Viewers, Drives Record CFB Season Pace

ABC drew 10.4 million viewers for Alabama-Georgia.
The NBC Sports broadcast team works Michigan State's football game against Boston College on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
October 2, 2025

NBC Sports, Peacock Stay on YouTube TV With Long-Term Deal

The broad-based agreement keeps NBC channels with the key distributor.
Sponsored

How Soccer Star Jozy Altidore Became a Buffalo Bills Owner

Jozy Altidore discusses building a business legacy off the field.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) pulls down a touchdown reception against Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) in the fourth quarter during their football game Sunday, November 13, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
September 24, 2025

Packers-Cowboys Game Is Getting Super Bowl–Like NBC Treatment

The network will bring its pregame show to Dallas.
Sep 18, 2025; College Park, Georgia, USA; Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston (7) reacts as the Fever defeat the Atlanta Dream during game three of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Gateway Center Arena at College Park.
September 19, 2025

Fever Upset of Dream Brings Ratings Boost to WNBA Semis

The Indiana Fever will face the Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals.
September 17, 2025

Fever Ratings Fall Without Clark, but Rest of WNBA Game 1s Surge

The Indiana Fever game drew 47% fewer viewers this year.
Sep 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) makes a reception defended by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) during the fourth quarter of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
September 16, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Sets Early NFL TV Ratings Mark

Several new milestones are established with the big early-season matchup.