ESPN Anchor Sage Steele Removed From Air

October 5, 2021

The co-anchor of the noon “SportsCenter” is expected to be off for at least a week, said sources. Steele is also expected to skip her turn as host of the espnW: Women + Sports Summit, which takes place Oct. 18-20.

Steele has tested positive for COVID-19, according to sources. But her not appearing on air goes beyond her diagnosis. The ESPN anchor has also been the target of online criticism from former ESPN talent — including Jemele Hill and Keith Olbermann — for her stated resistance to vaccine shots mandated by ESPN and parent Walt Disney Co., as well as her recent podcast comments about Barack Obama. Front Office Sports