- Sage Marie Steele is an American television anchor who is the former co-host of the 12pm (ET) SportsCenter on ESPN. She also hosted SportsCenter on the Road from various sporting events such as the Super Bowl and The Masters, and NBA Countdown on ESPN and ABC for four seasons, ending in 2017.
Sage Steele’s life journey is filled with diverse experiences and notable achievements. Born in 1972, she hails from a multicultural background, with her father, Gary Steele, being the first Black varsity football player at West Point during the mid-1960s.
Steele’s family has deep roots, with her American father Gary and Irish-Italian mother Mona (O’Neil) Steele forming a unique blend of cultures.
This cross-cultural union greatly enriched her upbringing.
She was born in the Panama Canal Zone, but her family relocated to the States in 1984.
ESPN Sage Steele Family: Parents Gary & Mona (O’Neil) Steele
Sage’s upbringing was marked by the dynamic and diverse lifestyle of an Army family.
She grew up with her two brothers, Courtney and Chad (senior vice president of media relations for the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens).
Born in the Panama Canal Zone in 1972, Sage traversed different states and countries due to her family’s military postings.
From Greece to Belgium and beyond, her early years were a testament to her adaptability and experience of various cultures.
In 1984, the family returned to the United States and settled in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
There Sage spent her seventh-grade year after attending Thomas B. Doherty High School.
With a father who made history in sports and a mother with Irish and Italian heritage, her background is a tapestry of identities.
Gary’s exceptional performances on the football and track & field teams earned him a well-deserved place in the Army Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.
Moreover, Sage Steele is married to Jonathan Bailey, and they have three children.
Education
Sage attended Thomas B. Doherty High School in Colorado Springs for two years before transferring to Carmel High School as a senior. She graduated high school in 1990.
After graduating high school, Sahe went to Indiana University Bloomington.
In 1995, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in sports communication, setting the stage for her future career.
Sage’s dedication to her alma mater was further evidenced when, exactly two decades later, she took on the role of commencement speaker at the 2015 Indiana University undergraduate commencement.
This distinguished honor stands as a pinnacle of her career, reflecting her commitment to education and the power of communication.
Settlement & ESPN Exit
Sage Steele has officially departed from the Disney sports entity.
Having joined ESPN in 2007, Steele took to social media to reveal that she has recently reached a resolution regarding a legal matter with her employer.
This legal chapter stemmed from her suspension in 2021, during which she was sidelined due to comments she had made on an external podcast.
She addressed various topics in her statements, including her perspective on COVID-19 vaccinations.
She also addressed her thoughts on attire choices among women and reflections on the ancestral background of former President Barack Obama.
Throughout her tenure at ESPN, Steele established herself as a seasoned voice in the sports broadcasting world.
Her insights and coverage went beyond the sports arena as she fearlessly delved into discussions about significant societal matters.
“Having successfully settled my case with ESPN/Disney, I have decided to leave so I can exercise my first amendment rights more freely,” Steele said.
“I am grateful for so many wonderful experiences over the past 16 years and am excited for my next chapter!”
Steele had alleged in a 2022 lawsuit that Disney and ESPN retaliated against her for the comments she made during the podcast hosted by Jay Cutler.
She charged the companies had breached her contract and violated her free-speech rights.
