Michele Steele has announced her departure from ESPN, where she has been a recognizable presence since 2011.
In a post made on Thursday, she shared that her final two weeks with the network are underway, concluding a significant chapter on August 1st. “I turn the page,” she wrote, reflecting on her 14 years of travel which included experiences in Bristol, Boston, and Chicago.
Steele was notably the first full-time sports anchor for Bloomberg TV before her journey at ESPN began.
In her farewell message, she recalled her first day at the Boston Bureau coinciding with the arrest of Aaron Hernandez, saying, “You’ll be surprised at what you’re doing in life, fulfilling my father’s prophecy.” Steele expressed gratitude for her time spent with exceptional colleagues while covering events like “SportsCenter,” the Women’s Basketball landscape, the National Spelling Bee, and the Warrior Games, which held personal significance due to her family’s military ties.
Although the reasons behind her departure remain unclear, at 46, she conveyed appreciation for her experience at ESPN. “ESPN has the best storytellers, producers and editors around,” Steele noted, acknowledging the learning opportunities she had during her tenure.
As for her next steps, Steele mentioned having recently offered advice on a friend’s podcast to individuals entering the field, emphasizing the importance of seizing opportunities. “That’s the approach I reported from my Wall Street report to the Championship Game Bristol and the Front and Centre anchor chairs. Now I’m taking my advice,” she added, suggesting a reflective transition.
A member of the Association of Asian American Journalists (AAJA), Steele serves as the chair for the organization’s sports task force.
In closing her message, she expressed eagerness for future endeavors, stating, “If you’re in Aaja in Seattle this month, let’s connect… take a look at this space.”
