Sage Steele Leaves ESPN To Exercise First Amendment Rights More Freely

Sage Steele, an ESPN broadcaster, has parted ways, the network and Steele both confirmed on Tuesday. Following the resolution of a lawsuit she filed last year, the anchor said that her choice will allow her to “more freely” use her First Amendment rights.

Sage Steele Leaves ESPN To Exercise First Amendment Rights More Freely

“Life update. Having successfully settled my case with ESPN/Disney, I have decided to leave so I can exercise my first amendment rights more freely. I am grateful for so many wonderful experiences over the past 16 years and am excited for my next chapter!” she posted to X, formerly known as Twitter.

Steele filed a lawsuit against ESPN after claiming that the company “sidelined” her for making divisive remarks on a podcast about former president Barack Obama’s racial identity and ESPN’s Covid immunization policy.

ESPN told Fox News Digital in a statement: “ESPN and Sage Steele have mutually agreed to part ways. We thank her for her many contributions over the years.”

The seasoned presenter said that the network had violated her contract as a result of its response to comments she made in a podcast interview in September 2021, during which she spoke out against parent firm Disney’s vaccination requirement and mocked former President Obama for identifying as Black rather than multiracial.

Steele was fired from ESPN after making controversial remarks against former President Barack Obama and the COVID-19 immunization requirement of the firm.

Steele stated in the case that she was subjected to retaliation because of her remarks, which went against both her contract and her right to free speech.

“I work for a company that mandates it and I had until September 30th to get it done or I’m out,” Steele said during a September 2021 appearance on the “Uncut with Jay Cutler” podcast.

“I respect everyone’s decision, I really do, but to mandate it is sick and it’s scary to me in many ways.”

The lawsuit, which was filed in Connecticut, alleged Steele was sidelined over the remarks and that the company “forced Steele to publicly apologize.”

Steele mentioned that she had just had a vaccine on an episode of the “Uncut With Jay Cutler” podcast with former Chicago Bears quarterback Cutler, calling ESPN’s vaccination policy “sick.”

Barbara Walters, a former host of “The View,” was charged by Steele of disparaging her for identifying as multiracial. Steele informed Cutler that Walters had questioned her about the race she would select for her census during their meeting.

After the podcast interview, Steele stated she was sorry for the comments she made, but she claimed the network made her apologize.

She began her career on Comcast SportsNet before joining ESPN in 2007. She frequently participated on “SportsCenter” and appeared on “NBA Countdown.”

 

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