Why is Sage Steele off air at ESPN? ‘SportsCenter’ anchor’s controversial statements led to resolution

Sage Steele has been faraway from the air at ESPN for every week, based on a Tuesday report by Front Office Sports.

Based on FSO, Steele, who hosts the midday section of “SportsCenter” and was the previous host of “NBA Countdown,” has been faraway from air partly due to a optimistic COVID-19 analysis, however extra so due to controversial feedback she made off platform whereas showing on the “Uncut with Jay Cutler” podcast on Sunday.

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Steele drew ire for a number of feedback she made throughout her look on Cutler’s podcast, together with calling Disney’s vaccine mandate “sick” and “scary,” expressing shock that former President Barack Obama recognized as Black and suggesting that girls in sports activities journalism court docket potential harassment relying on what they put on.

ESPN, which is owned by Disney, declined to remark to FSO whether or not the choice to take away Steele from the air was a results of inside self-discipline or suspension. The corporate did, nevertheless, launch a press release because of the choice:

“At ESPN, we embrace completely different factors of view — dialogue and dialogue makes this place nice,” the assertion learn. “That mentioned, we anticipate that these factors of view be expressed respectfully, in a fashion per our values, and in step with our inside insurance policies. We’re having direct conversations with Sage and people conversations will stay non-public.”

Steele additionally launched a press release by means of ESPN:

“I do know my latest feedback created controversy for the corporate, and I apologize. We’re within the midst of a particularly difficult time that impacts all of us, and it is extra essential than ever that we talk constructively and thoughtfully,” Steele mentioned within the assertion.

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Under are the feedback Steele made on Disney’s vaccine mandate. She later mentioned she herself was vaccinated, including that the nurse who administered the vaccine might have deliberately harm her as a result of she mistook her for Candace Owens, a conservative creator and commentator.

Steele additionally created controversy when she mentioned it was “fascinating” that Obama recognized as Black. She herself identifies as biracial (half Black, half-Irish/Italian).

“I’m like, ‘Properly, congratulations to the president. That’s his factor.’ I believe that’s fascinating contemplating his Black dad was nowhere to be discovered, however his white mother and grandma raised him, however hey, you do you. I’m going to do me,” Steele mentioned.

Steele additionally mentioned she refused to mentor younger girls in sports activities journalism relying on their apparel.

“So once you costume like that, I am not saying you deserve the gross feedback, however you recognize what you are doing once you’re placing that outfit on, too,” Steele mentioned. “Like, girls are good, so do not play coy and put all of it on the fellows.”

FSO additionally stories Steele is predicted to skip her flip as host of the espnW: Girls + Sports activities Summit from Oct. 18-20.

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Amongst those that criticized Steele have been her former ESPN coworkers Jemele Hill and Keith Olbermann.

This isn’t the primary time Steele, who has been at ESPN for 14 years, has made controversial feedback. She was slammed for a 2017 Instagram put up complaining about her flight arrangements on account of protests at airports within the wake of Donald Trump’s journey bans. She additionally claimed in 2017 that individuals who tune into ESPN need to hear about sports activities, and that the community ought to stick to sports as a substitute of the Charlottesville riots.