History of Sage Steele in Timeline

Sage Steele is an American television anchor known for her work at ESPN. She was a co-host of the 12 noon (ET) SportsCenter and hosted SportsCenter on the Road from major sporting events. Steele also hosted NBA Countdown on ESPN and ABC for four seasons. Prior to that, she was a full-time host of SportsCenter for five years, and contributed to other ESPN shows. She hosted SportsCenter's daytime coverage of the NBA Finals in 2012 and 2013, and covered every NBA Finals from 2012 to 2020.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

November 28, 1972: Sage Steele Born

On November 28, 1972, Sage Marie Steele was born. She would later become a television anchor and co-host of SportsCenter on ESPN.

1972: Sage Steele's Birth

In 1972, Sage Steele was born into an American Army family residing in the Panama Canal Zone.

1984: Moved to Colorado Springs

In 1984, Sage Steele's family moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she began her seventh-grade year. This move marked a transition in her early education and upbringing.

1990: High School Graduation

In 1990, Sage Steele graduated from Carmel High School in Carmel, Indiana, marking the completion of her secondary education.

1995: First Television Sports Reporting Job

In 1995, Sage Steele began her first television sports reporting job at WSBT-TV, the CBS affiliate in South Bend, Indiana, as a news producer and reporter.

1995: Graduated from Indiana University

In 1995, Sage Steele graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with a Bachelor of Science degree in sports communication.

1997: Joined WISH-TV in Indianapolis

In 1997, Sage Steele joined WISH-TV, a CBS affiliate in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she served as the weekend morning sports anchor and weekday reporter.

1997: End of WSBT-TV Role

In 1997, Sage Steele's time at WSBT-TV in South Bend, Indiana, concluded. During this time, she worked as a news producer and reporter.

1998: End of WISH-TV Role

In 1998, Sage Steele concluded her role at WISH-TV in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she had been working as the weekend morning sports anchor and weekday reporter.

1998: Joined WFTS in Tampa

In 1998, Sage Steele joined WFTS, an ABC affiliate in Tampa, Florida, as a sports reporter alongside Jay Crawford and Scott Hanson.

1999: Marriage to Jonathan Bailey

In 1999, Sage Steele married Jonathan Bailey. Together, they had three children: two daughters and one son.

2001: Left WFTS in Tampa

In 2001, Sage Steele departed from WFTS in Tampa, Florida, where she had been working as a sports reporter.

2001: Joined Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic

In 2001, Sage Steele joined Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic in Bethesda, Maryland, as an anchor and reporter for SportsNite, the network's nightly local sports news program.

2004: ESPN Job Offer

In 2004, Sage Steele received a job offer from ESPN but declined it due to her pregnancy with her second child. She would join ESPN three years later.

March 16, 2007: ESPN Debut

On March 16, 2007, Sage Steele debuted on ESPN, appearing on the 6:00 p.m. ET edition of SportsCenter.

2007: Departure from CSN Mid-Atlantic

In 2007, Sage Steele left Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic after serving six years as a reporter and anchor, as well as a beat reporter for the Baltimore Ravens.

2010: Hosted Scripps National Spelling Bee

In 2010, Sage Steele began hosting the Scripps National Spelling Bee, a role she continued until 2013.

2012: SportsCenter NBA Finals Coverage

In 2012, Sage Steele hosted SportsCenter's daytime coverage of the NBA Finals. This marked a significant role in her coverage of major sporting events.

July 28, 2013: Drove Pace Car at Brickyard 400

On July 28, 2013, Sage Steele drove the pace car for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Brickyard 400. During the pace laps, she was playfully bumped by Jimmie Johnson.

2013: Became Host of NBA Countdown

In 2013, Sage Steele became the host of NBA Countdown on ESPN and ABC, marking a significant role in her broadcasting career.

2013: SportsCenter NBA Finals Coverage

In 2013, Sage Steele continued to host SportsCenter's daytime coverage of the NBA Finals, further solidifying her presence in sports broadcasting.

2013: Father Inducted into Army Sports Hall of Fame

In 2013, Sage Steele's father, Gary Steele, was inducted into the Army Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing his distinguished career in football and track & field at West Point.

2013: End of Scripps National Spelling Bee Hosting

In 2013, Sage Steele's role as the host of the Scripps National Spelling Bee concluded, after hosting since 2010.

2014: Guest Host on The View

In 2014, Sage Steele was a guest host on The View several times, marking a departure from sports broadcasting.

2015: Commencement Speaker at Indiana University

In 2015, Sage Steele served as the commencement speaker at the Indiana University undergraduate commencement, an honor she considers the greatest of her career.

2017: Co-Hosted Miss America 2017 Pageant

In 2017, Sage Steele co-hosted the Miss America pageant on ABC with Chris Harrison, marking an appearance outside of sports broadcasting.

2017: End of NBA Countdown Hosting

In 2017, Sage Steele's four-season run as host of NBA Countdown on ESPN and ABC came to an end. This marked a shift in her career focus after several years in that role.

2018: Co-Hosted Miss America 2018 Pageant

In 2018, Sage Steele co-hosted the Miss America 2018 pageant on ABC with Chris Harrison, marking another appearance outside of sports broadcasting.

2019: Divorce from Jonathan Bailey

In 2019, Sage Steele and Jonathan Bailey divorced, ending their marriage.

2019: Joined Board of V Foundation

In 2019, Sage Steele was named to the board of the V Foundation for cancer research, indicating her involvement in philanthropic endeavors.

2020: Coverage of NBA Finals

In 2020, Sage Steele covered the NBA Finals. This was the last year out of nine straight years that she covered the NBA Finals.

February 2021: Co-Anchor of SportsCenter at Noon

In February 2021, Sage Steele became the co-anchor of the noon (ET) SportsCenter with Matt Barrie, transitioning from her previous role anchoring the 6 p.m. ET edition of the show.

March 2021: Listed Home for Sale

In March 2021, Sage Steele put her home in Avon, Connecticut, on the market for $1.6 million after extensive renovations.

October 5, 2021: Suspension by ESPN

On October 5, 2021, Sage Steele was suspended with pay by ESPN due to remarks she made on Jay Cutler's podcast regarding COVID-19 vaccine mandates, women's attire, and Barack Obama's racial identity. Following the suspension, she issued an apology.

April 2022: Lawsuit Against ESPN

In April 2022, Sage Steele filed a lawsuit against ESPN, alleging that the network retaliated against her following her suspension. The suit claimed that ESPN took opportunities away from her and steadily degraded her career.

August 2023: Settlement and Departure from ESPN

In August 2023, Sage Steele and ESPN settled the lawsuit, leading to Steele's departure from the network. This concluded a period of legal disputes and professional challenges.

March 2024: Joined Bill Maher's Podcast Network

In March 2024, Sage Steele was named the first podcast host on Bill Maher's Club Random Studios podcast network, signaling a new direction in her career.

April 2024: Replaced Candace Owens in Animated Series

In April 2024, Sage Steele replaced Candace Owens in the animated series Mr. Birchum after Owens' departure from The Daily Wire, following disagreements with Ben Shapiro.