What Happened to Sage Marie Steele?

Sage Steele's broadcasting career began in 1995, leading her to various local and regional sports networks before joining ESPN in 2007. Over 16 years, she became one of the network's most recognizable faces, hosting flagship shows like SportsCenter and NBA Countdown, and covering major sporting events such as the Super Bowl and The Masters.

The turning point in Steele's career at ESPN came in September 2021 when she made controversial remarks on a podcast hosted by Jay Cutler. During the podcast, she criticized ESPN and Disney's COVID-19 vaccine mandate, calling it "sick" and "scary." She also questioned former President Barack Obama's decision to identify as Black on the U.S. Census, given his biracial background. Following these comments, Steele was temporarily taken off the air and, according to her lawsuit, was forced to issue a public apology and removed from several high-profile assignments.

In April 2022, Steele filed a lawsuit against ESPN and its parent company, The Walt Disney Co., alleging that they retaliated against her and violated her First Amendment and Connecticut's free-speech rights. ESPN denied suspending her, stating she was recovering from COVID-19. In June 2023, ESPN offered Steele a settlement of over $500,000 plus attorney fees, which her legal team initially rejected, asserting that Disney could not "purchase their employee's constitutional rights." However, the parties ultimately reached a settlement in August 2023, the terms of which were not publicly disclosed, leading to Steele's departure from ESPN.

Since leaving ESPN, Steele has embarked on a new chapter, focusing on independent media and political commentary. She launched "The Sage Steele Show" podcast, which features interviews with entertainers, athletes, business people, and politicians, and continues to release new episodes as of March 2026. In March 2024, she was named the first podcast host on Bill Maher's Club Random Studios podcast network. Her public profile has increasingly shifted towards conservative political discourse. In February 2025, Steele notably appeared at a White House press briefing, occupying the "new media" seat, where she asked a question related to an executive order on women's sports, further solidifying her transition from sports journalism to political punditry. In June 2024, she also filed a lawsuit against her former agents at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), alleging they mishandled her situation with ESPN.

As of April 2026, Sage Steele continues to host her podcast and engage in public speaking. She married Dave Barbuto in 2025 and was appointed to the Indiana University Board of Trustees in June 2025. Her career trajectory reflects a broader trend of media personalities transitioning to platforms that allow for more unfiltered expression, particularly in the political sphere.