Sage Steele is an American television anchor and media personality, best known for her work with ESPN since 2007.
She has co-hosted SportsCenter, NBA Countdown, and hosted events like the Scripps National Spelling Bee and the Miss America pageant.
In 2023, Steele left ESPN after a lawsuit settlement related to her controversial comments on political issues.
Outside of broadcasting, Steele is involved in philanthropy, particularly with the Pat Tillman Foundation, and is a mother of three who enjoys horseback riding.
Parents
Sage is the daughter of Gary Steele and Mona O’Neil Steele.
Her father, Gary, is notable for being the first African-American varsity football player at West Point and served as a colonel in the U.S. Army.
He was inducted into the Army Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.
Mona, her mother, is of Irish-Italian descent. Sage has two brothers, Courtney and Chad, with Chad serving as a senior vice president of media relations for the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens.
The family moved frequently due to Gary’s military career, living in various locations including Greece and Belgium before settling in Colorado Springs, Colorado1234
Career
Steele’s career began in 1995 after graduating from Indiana University with a degree in sports communications.
She started as a producer and reporter at WSBT-TV in South Bend, Indiana, where she gained her first experience in broadcasting.
In 1996, she moved to WISH-TV in Indianapolis, where she covered local sports, including the Indianapolis Colts.
Her career continued to grow when she joined WFTS-TV in Tampa, Florida, from 2000 to 2001, further honing her skills as a sports reporter.
In 2001, Steele joined Comcast SportsNet in Washington, D.C., where she anchored SportsNite and reported on major teams like the Washington Capitals and Baltimore Ravens.
This role helped her establish herself as a respected sports journalist and prepared her for the national stage.
Her big break came in 2007 when she joined ESPN.
At ESPN, Steele became a prominent figure, co-anchoring SportsCenter, the network’s flagship program, and covering a wide range of sports topics.
She also served as the lead host for NBA Countdown from 2013 to 2017, where she interviewed players and analysts while providing insights into the league.
Steele’s versatility extended beyond sports broadcasting.
She hosted significant events such as the Scripps National Spelling Bee and the Miss America pageant, showcasing her ability to engage audiences outside of sports.
Additionally, she contributed to ESPN’s coverage of major sporting events like the Super Bowl and the NBA Finals.
However, Steele’s time at ESPN was not without controversy.
In 2021, during an appearance on The Jay Cutler Show, she made comments on political issues that sparked widespread debate.
After leaving ESPN, Steele continued her media career by launching The Sage Steele Show on Bill Maher’s podcast network.
The show allowed her to explore a variety of topics, including sports, politics, and culture.
Beyond her professional life, Steele has been deeply involved in philanthropy.
She serves on the board of the Pat Tillman Foundation, which supports veterans and their families, and has participated in initiatives promoting education and military support.
