Steele and Smith Reflect on Their Time Together at ESPN
Former “SportsCenter” anchor Sage Steele and ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith shared their experiences working together and how their strong friendship endured the challenges they faced, particularly during Steele’s tenure at the network.
In her latest project, Steele mentioned feeling excluded from the special titled “Time for a Change: We Will Not Lose,” which aired on ESPN in June 2020. The program aimed to delve into race and highlighted the experiences of Black athletes regarding injustice, prompted by the death of George Floyd.
The special was co-hosted by several anchors, including Elle Duncan and Michael Eaves. However, Steele, who identifies as biracial, wasn’t featured, as Duncan and Eaves had raised concerns with ESPN management about the representation of the Black community on the show.
On a recent podcast, Steele discussed a message Smith sent her after she publicly commented on the situation. In an article from 2020, she noted that the attempt to define who is deemed “Black enough” only serves to sow division.
“I released a statement that was picked up by the Wall Street Journal. I thought to myself, ‘If I’m going to advise others, especially kids, to stand up for what’s right, I shouldn’t remain silent,'” Steele articulated during the podcast.
When Smith learned about her statement, he reached out to Steele with a message expressing his concern, wondering how her comments might affect her personal life.
Smith acknowledged that his message conveyed a genuine worry for Steele’s situation. He noted that he wasn’t aware of the intricate details behind the scenes at that time but felt compelled to reach out after reading her comments.
He sympathized, understanding that Steele was navigating her own challenges during a tumultuous period, including a divorce. He emphasized that while it’s easy for outsiders to critique, the impact on her family should also be considered.
In response, Steele expressed her gratitude for Smith’s support, recognizing that his concern stemmed from a place of friendship and care, rather than mere professional obligation.
During this time, ESPN stated that Steele wasn’t excluded from the special due to any negative campaigns from her colleagues, and they maintained that her views had no bearing on decisions concerning her participation.
Both Duncan and Eaves later reflected that, while they wished there could have been more time to include various voices, they hoped the special successfully conveyed its significant messages.
Steele departed from ESPN in August 2023 after reaching a settlement. Her exit followed a lawsuit filed in October 2021 after she faced consequences for her remarks on the network’s COVID-19 vaccine policy.
Steele, who had been part of ESPN since 2007, announced her retirement to enjoy the freedom to express her First Amendment rights.
Eaves, who joined ESPN in 2015, continues his role at the network, while Duncan has moved on to Netflix to lead sports programming. Taylor also transitioned away from ESPN after facing derogatory remarks that were made public in 2021.
