ESPN host Sage Steele has reached a settlement with the sports media giant and is leaving the channel. An ESPN spokesperson confirmed this decision, stating, “ESPN and Sage Steele have mutually agreed to part ways. We thank her for her many contributions over the years.” Steele also expressed her thoughts on her departure, saying, “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!”
The specific terms of the settlement between Steele and ESPN were not disclosed. However, last year, Steele filed a lawsuit against ESPN and its owner, The Walt Disney Co., claiming that the company violated her free speech rights in retaliation for comments she made on a podcast. These comments included criticisms of the company’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate and remarks about former President Barack Obama.
During the podcast hosted by former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler, Steele spoke out against vaccine mandates, describing them as “sick” and “scary.” She also made comments about Obama’s racial background, stating, “That’s [identifying as Black] his thing. I think that’s fascinating considering his Black dad was nowhere to be found, but his white mom and grandma raised him, but hey, you do you. I’m going to do me.”
Steele’s lawsuit argued that ESPN selectively enforced its policy on news personnel commenting on political or social issues. The complaint filed in Connecticut state court asserted, “ESPN’s inconsistency in how it treated Steele as compared to her peers demonstrates that Steele was punished not only for exercising her constitutional right to free speech but because of the content of that speech.” The suit alleged that Steele was disciplined by her employer in violation of Connecticut state law because she expressed opinions that ESPN and Disney disagreed with.
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It is worth noting that Disney has faced multiple lawsuits over its vaccine mandate, which was implemented in line with most major employers and the U.S. government. For instance, Rockmond Dunbar, a former cast member on the TV show “911,” filed a lawsuit against the company last year, claiming that he was terminated for refusing the vaccine. Similarly, soap opera actor Ingo Rademacher sued ABC, the network that airs “General Hospital,” alleging that he was fired because he refused to get vaccinated.
The settlement between Steele and ESPN marks the end of a legal battle that highlighted the debate surrounding free speech and employer regulations on controversial topics. While the specific details of the settlement remain undisclosed, it allows Steele the opportunity to exercise her first amendment rights more freely in her future endeavors.
Steele’s departure from ESPN after 16 years opens up the next chapter of her career, where she can potentially explore avenues that align better with her personal beliefs and opinions. Her experiences and contributions to the channel have undoubtedly left a lasting impact, and fans will be eager to follow her journey in the sports media industry.
Overall, the resolution of the lawsuit serves as a reminder of the ongoing tensions between media personalities and their employers when it comes to expressing personal views on sensitive subjects. The freedom of speech is a fundamental right, but it often intersects with the responsibilities and expectations that come with representing a major media organization.
As the media landscape evolves, the balance between personal expression and professional obligations will likely continue to be a topic of discussion and negotiation for both individuals and companies in the industry.
