Sage Steele commends UFC president’s decision to team up with Anheuser-Busch
Former ESPN Anchor Sage Steele Cheers UFC and Bud Light Partnership
In a striking endorsement, Sage Steele, the seasoned sports broadcasting figure formerly of ESPN, has voiced her support for a strategic decision by Dana White, the President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The move in question? UFC’s alliance with the renowned beer giant Anheuser-Busch, bringing Bud Light into the ring as an official sponsor.
OIn a landscape where brand partnerships make headlines, this collaboration caught the public’s attention in October 2023, a mere six months after Bud Light had navigated choppy waters with transgender social media icon Dylan Mulvaney. The prior endorsement had not fared well with conservative circles, leading to discourse ripe with contention. Yet, White stood firm in support of the Bud Light-UFC collaboration, earning Steele’s admiration.
“I love that he did that because it’s, like, No. 1, everybody deserves a second chance, in my opinion,” Steele said. “I really do believe that. And secondly, what a brilliant business move.”
Steele’s words resonate with the notion of redemption and savvy market moves. From her perspective, in times where a brand’s profitability falters, investments in image rejuvenation become a crucial turn of strategy. Post-partnership with Mulvaney, Bud Light had witnessed a dip in sales, leading to the loss of its crown as America’s preferred beer.
“I just think it’s brilliant, and again, he does not care: ‘This is what I’m going to do. I’ve proven I’m a pretty good businessman,'” Steele noted. “And look, it was great to see those guys there, too, enjoying it.”
White Defends the Budding Partnership
In White’s defense of this partnership, he shone a spotlight on Anheuser-Busch’s commendable contributions to the community, specifically highlighting their support for the families of first responders and military personnel. Identifying as a staunch advocate for law enforcement and the military, White feels his personal values align with those of the beer conglomerate.
The drumbeat for giving Bud Light another shot echoes beyond Steele’s endorsement. Former President Donald Trump has cast his lot too, applauding Anheuser-Busch’s substantial financial commitments to American agriculture and job creation. Even musician Kid Rock hinted at a course correction by Bud Light, signaling a receipt of the public’s earlier disapproval.
Sage Steele’s Departure from ESPN
August marked a turning point for Steele as she ventured away from her longstanding role at ESPN. It was a move designed to allow her the freedom to express her beliefs without restraint—an allusion to perhaps feeling bound by the network previously. This shift followed a controversy in 2021, where remarks about former President Barack Obama and ESPN’s vaccine mandate led to her suspension.
Whether one leans towards the provocative discourse surrounding brand alignments or the strategic interplay of major industry players, it’s clear that the partnership between UFC and Bud Light remains a heavyweight topic, bolstered by the support of voices like Sage Steele.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
