Morning Wire - Sidelines to Spotlight: Sage Steele’s New Chapter | Sunday Extra

Episode Date: March 31, 2024

Outspoken sports anchor Sage Steele does not shy away from difficult topics. We talk to the upbeat and energetic host about her exit from ESPN and her new podcast “The Sage Steele Show”. Get the facts first on Morning Wire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former ESPN Sports Center anchor Sage Steel was famously sidelined after speaking out against vaccine mandates, and she then sued ESPN and its parent company Disney for violating her free speech rights. Having reached a settlement, Steele has now parted ways with ESPN and has launched a new show, which she says will be dedicated to doing what she was not allowed to do under her former employer, have open discussions about diverse ideas, including from a conservative perspective. In this episode, we sit down with Steele to discuss her legal battle over censorship with ESPN and Disney and why she sees hope on the horizon for free speech. I'm Daily Wire, editor-in-chief John Bickley with Georgia Howe.

It's Sunday, March 31st, and this is an extra edition of Morning Wire. Joining us now to discuss her journey from ESPN Sports Center anchor to canceled, and now to host of her own show is Sage Steele. Sage, thank you so much for joining us. No, thank you. Thank you for having me. Now you've launched the Sage Steel Show, which we'd like to ask you about. But let's start with you parting ways with Disney and ESPN.

For those who haven't tracked that sequence of events, can you tell us exactly what happened there? Oh, that's a big, long answer. It was almost a two-year process, to be honest with you, from the moment that I just was on a podcast on a day off, giving my own opinions and views on my own experiences and things that are happening that were happening at that time. This is September, October of 2021. And I was suspended for it and punished and assignments taken away and silenced and, you know, was told that if I didn't apologize publicly, I would lose my job, et cetera. And listen, this had been years and years leading up to that point where I spoke differently

than others there, I guess. I didn't follow the same narrative. And I decided to stand up only because of the hypocrisy on the other side where all of my peers were able to go on ESPN programming and on the network whenever they wanted. and say what they wanted, even if it had nothing to do with sports on ESPN platforms. And I just saw that hypocrisy. And of course, I'd lived it a lot behind the scenes. And once you're punished and then continually punished after you fill in your punishment,

do what they tell you to do, at some point you have a decision to make. And for me, I knew that it was enough. I also knew it was bigger than me, that that's kind of what was happening throughout society in America, where if you don't follow a certain narrative, then you're silenced and punished and And also once you get canceled so many times, it's easier to say, wait a minute. So I took a stand and did something I never thought I'd do, which is file a lawsuit against the company that I loved and ended up working for for almost 17 years, broke my heart. But I know it was the right thing because it's truly about standing up for yourself and others

and freedom of speech. Now, vaccines played a central role in your split with ESPN, correct? Can you explain that more for us? Yes. So at Disney, of course, ESPN's owned by Disney. we were required to be fully vaccinated by September 30 of 2021. I waited to literally the very last day. I was devastated about it.

Didn't agree with being forced. There's a difference between the vaccine and the vaccine mandate. And I had an issue with the mandate because I wasn't comfortable with the vaccine yet. And I just wanted more time for more research to be done. I done my homework. And I know I think the average is six to nine years for the FDA to approve a vaccine. And this was shoved out there pretty quickly as we know. It became super political on both sides.

And I just didn't feel comfortable. with doing it. So it had actually come onto that podcast that day directly from getting the shot. Pretty emotional. Probably was running a little bit hot there, but I was pretty measured with my comments. And I said, listen, I just don't agree that anyone should be forced to do something to their body. I think it's sick and scary for any company to do that. But I love my job. I need my job. And I complied in order to keep my job. Since then, I've thought so much, obviously, about it. And if I had said the opposite, if I had said, listen, all these anti-vaxxers are being quite selfish and don't care about their neighbors or their coworkers or their families and just get it and care about,

I would have been celebrated. The other comments I made about race and being biracial versus Barbara Walters and people telling me I should identify as black, even though I'm black and white. If I had said the other idea, I feel like I would have been celebrated. And that's where the hypocrisy was. And that's why I stood up. You know, I should note for disclosure purposes and also because it proved very consequential that the Daily Wire sued the federal government over its vaccine mandate for big companies.

We put ourselves at severe risk by doing so, but we won that lawsuit. And it's something that we felt like we had to do. And so your story certainly resonates with us. And we appreciate people. Can I hug you for that? Yeah, we can. It's been when people like you and groups like you stand up, it just meant the world to me and I have to say doing it alone, you know, and I'm a single mother of three kids,

high school and college age kids. And it's not cheap to stand up. It's scary when you're on your own and you're financially responsible for everybody, along with throwing away the career that I loved as I was told I was doing. But sometimes it's bigger than us. And so people like you made me feel not quite as alone. And now it's amazing what happens when you do take a stand and step out how many thousands, millions of people, you realize you're so not alone. It's just there's such fear and we just can't lead with that fear anymore. About that, how have you seen people embrace you? And what are you doing? What's this next phase in your career? I cannot tell you how excited I am about what's next. And it's beginning now with being able to have true, deep,

genuine conversations, kind of a talk show format, but not an interview. I think it's a conversation. There's a huge difference. And I'm all about freedom of speech and diversity of thought. That's what I lead with. Anyone who knows me will back that up. And that is why when Bill Marr offered me a job while I was on his club random podcast, I thought he was joking, and then he did it again, and the fact that of all people,

Bill Marr, someone with whom I see things completely differently, I'm definitely more conservative, he's definitely far left, he doesn't believe in marriage and kids, he thinks it's all crazy, and he's an atheist. And I'm the opposite in every single category, and I love that.

We can sit and talk, and most importantly, he saw where my heart is, which is to truly be accepting and diverse of everyone, like welcome those diverse thoughts. And to give me a show to do that, it's so much bigger than me. This is about trying to show America that this can exist and we can lead with kindness and be strong in our beliefs. But it's a beautiful thing that Bill Maher saw that in this, you know,

controversial, conservative, former ESPN star and said, no, no, no, I'm going to give her a shot, even though I completely feel differently about huge important. issues in our country. It's a win, I think, for everybody, and I'm so honored. During the COVID pandemic, we saw censorship on a level. I don't think we've ever seen before. Do you feel like there's been progress made, or are we still under this very heavy-handed censorship complex? I feel like there is, and I think maybe you all, obviously you do this every single day and you pay super close attention to it. I'm slightly probably a step back from you, but watching it as a consumer

and in a different way as a journalist now, my journalism career is changing and evolving. I feel like there is progress. And to me, the biggest reason for it is Elon Musk. And I'm so grateful for him taking that huge chance. I don't care how many billions of dollars you have. That is a risk that he has taken. And it's been fascinating to watch him in what he tweets and what he says.

And I think it gives the majority of America hope because I truly believe that most Americans think like we do. Like, we don't all have to believe the same things, but you must be respectful of everybody's opinions and their right to have that. So because of Elon Musk, it is changing, I think, the environment for this. And also, I have seen and read about so many other people taking stands. And I feel like, you know, those articles are showing up a little bit more. It's fascinating to learn what's going on with Google and all the suppression over the last 12 years with the election process, et cetera. That stuff being exposed, I feel like on former Twitter, now X, former Twitter,

that we would never have been able to hear about that, not as quickly and efficiently and accurately. So to me, there is progress. And we have to continue. I believe there's a groundswell for people like us who just want all things available for us to consume and allow us to make our own decisions. And that's what had been taken away. People didn't realize it.

And now it's being exposed. And that's the win. And that's what I want to talk about on my show with, All of these, it's a variety of guests. Yes, some athletes, but people in Hollywood, some politicians, actors, all the above, because I think probably we have a lot more in common than we believe. It doesn't all have to be political. So I want to hear they're wise.

And most importantly, though, when it all hits the fan and we all have those moments, how do they push through, how do they push through those adverse moments in their lives, despite making it all look perfect on TV or on, you know, the big screen? And what I have found is most people believe like us, but they're fearful in that industry, in particular in Hollywood and entertainment, to speak their truth. And I hope and pray that I can make people comfortable enough to do that. And then when people open up and speak openly, I think everybody wins and others realize, hey, I'm not alone.

And we're right to be able to stand up and speak our own truths. It doesn't have to fit a certain narrative. As you mentioned, Bill Maher's far left on many issues. Is he putting any restrictions on your topics for your show? Zero, nothing. It's beautiful. I'm so not used to this world. I'm like, wait, what?

I'm waiting for, you know, someone from Disney offices in Burbank to reach up and, you know, cut me off. And it's just a whole new world. Bill and I agree on some of the core issues. That's what we found out on that podcast that I did with him on Club Random, his show back in October, about immigration. He thinks it's completely out of control about the transgender women's sports issue out of control and ridiculous and scary. And of course, the vaccine, vaccine mandates nuts. So those are three core issues that have obviously been so divisive.

But again, you look at my stance on things and how I feel about things based on myself and being a mother, et cetera, and not having a certain platform. And then Bill Maher with his massive platform and his very left-leaning liberal approach to pretty much everything in life. But it's a great lesson that when we talk and are respectful and lead with kindness, we realize we actually have a lot more in common. And he's like, go girl, say what you want, ask what you want, do what you want. There's a trust there already and it's something I'm so grateful for because I'm not used to that. That's so hardening to hear.

Final question before you go, what have you been surprised by and what are you looking most forward to in this next phase? Well, thank you. I just was so shocked and honored. that someone on quote unquote the other side of the aisle saw the need for more conversation and for Bill Maher to believe that I could be the one I know I could, but I've never been given that kind of platform before. But it's not about me or Bill.

It's about what has to happen. It does take courage, though, right? For someone like Bill to say, oh, I'm going to go tread into these waters and give a voice to someone with whom I feel so differently. And I think, kudos to him. kudos to him for seeing the big picture beyond what he believes. And I am so excited to have these conversations and make it continue. Because if we don't do this, I'm not trying to be dramatic.

I believe we lose America. And I do believe it's now or never. And here we go with Club Branden and Bill and me and a whole bunch of other guests. I hope you guys take a chance and listen. Well, we certainly will. Sage, thank you so much for joining us. We'd love to talk to you again. I would love to.

I listen to y'all every morning. So thank you for keeping me informed. I'm dead serious. Really, that's certainly nice to hear. Thanks again for coming on. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

God bless. That was Sage Steel, host of the Sage Steel Show, and this has been an extra edition of Morning Wire.