'Sage Steele Departs ESPN Post Lawsuit Settlement on COVID-19 Vaccine Comments'

ESPN host Sage Steele settles lawsuit with the company over comments about its COVID-19 vaccination policy. Steele announces departure from ESPN.

ESPN host Sage Steele and the network have reached a settlement in the lawsuit she filed after facing disciplinary action for her comments about ESPN's COVID-19 vaccination policy. Steele announced on social media that she is leaving the company, where she has been employed since 2007. She expressed her gratitude for her experiences at ESPN and her excitement for the next chapter of her career.

The lawsuit, filed in May 2022 in Connecticut Superior Court, claimed that Steele was taken off the air for 10 days and removed from several high-profile assignments, including coverage of the New York City Marathon, the Rose Parade, and the annual ESPNW Summit, because of her criticism of ESPN and The Walt Disney Co.'s vaccination requirement. The lawsuit also stated that Steele was required to issue a public apology.

According to the lawsuit, Steele made her critical comments about ESPN while speaking on a podcast hosted by former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler, shortly after receiving the vaccine herself. She expressed her belief that a corporate mandate for vaccination was "sick" and "scary" to her. Steele stated that she chose to get vaccinated to keep her job and support her family, despite her personal reservations.

During the podcast, Steele also discussed her biracial identity and questioned former President Barack Obama's decision to identify as Black on the U.S. Census. She emphasized the need for female journalists to take responsibility if they face inappropriate comments based on their attire.

In the lawsuit, Steele's lawyers accused ESPN of forcing her to apologize, allowing the media to tarnish her reputation without challenging the reports of her suspension, and permitting her colleagues to defame her without consequences, in violation of company policy.

In June, ESPN offered a settlement of just over $500,000 plus attorneys fees and costs. The specific terms of the settlement reached on Tuesday have not been disclosed.

ESPN confirmed Steele's departure from the network in a statement, expressing appreciation for her contributions over the years.