ESPN anchor leaving network to exercise First Amendment rights after criticizing COVID mandates.
Veteran ESPN Anchor Sage Steele Leaves Network to Exercise First Amendment Rights
ESPN anchor Sage Steele, known for her outspokenness, has announced her departure from the sports network in order to freely exercise her First Amendment rights. This comes after Steele sued ESPN and parent company Disney last year, alleging retaliation for her negative comments about COVID vaccine mandates and former President Barack Obama.
Settling the Case and Moving Forward
After successfully settling her case with ESPN/Disney, Steele took to social media to share her decision. “Having successfully settled my case with ESPN/Disney, I have decided to leave so I can exercise my first amendment (sic) rights more freely,” she wrote on X. She expressed gratitude for her 16 years at the network and expressed excitement for the next chapter in her career.
Voicing Concerns about Vaccine Mandates
Steele’s criticism of ESPN’s requirement for employees to get vaccinated against COVID was made public during an appearance on former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler’s podcast in 2021. She expressed her reluctance to comply with the mandate, stating, “I didn’t want to do it. But I work for a company that mandates it and I had until September 30 to get it done or I’m out.”
She further elaborated on her concerns, calling the mandate “sick” and expressing fear about the implications. Despite her reservations, Steele acknowledged her love for her job and the necessity of complying with the mandate.
Controversial Comments and Apology
During the podcast, Steele also made controversial comments about former President Barack Obama’s racial identity. She questioned his identification as black, citing the absence of his black father in his upbringing. These comments sparked backlash, and Steele later issued an apology under pressure from ESPN.
Legal Battle and Disney’s Offer
Following the controversy, Steele filed a lawsuit against ESPN and Disney in April 2022. In June, Disney offered Steele a $500,000 settlement, which her attorney, Bryan Freedman, criticized. Freedman stated, “Disney and ESPN clearly admit their liability by offering to pay Sage Steele more than half a million dollars for taking away her right to free speech. The offer misses the point. Disney cannot purchase their employee’s constitutional rights no matter how powerful they think they are.”
A Career at ESPN
Steele, who began working for ESPN in 2007, has had a successful career at the network. She hosted the evening broadcast of ”SportsCenter” and was the face of ESPN’s “NBA Countdown” from 2013 to 2017.
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