History of Sage Steele in Timeline

Sage Steele is an American television anchor best known for her work at ESPN. She co-hosted the 12 noon (ET) SportsCenter and SportsCenter on the Road, covering events like the Super Bowl and The Masters. She also hosted NBA Countdown on ESPN and ABC for four seasons. Before that, Steele was a full-time host of SportsCenter for five years and contributed to other ESPN shows like First Take and Mike & Mike in the Morning. 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 later became a television anchor and co-host of SportsCenter on ESPN.

1972: Born in the Panama Canal Zone

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 back to the United States, specifically to Colorado Springs, Colorado, for her seventh grade year.

1990: Graduated from Carmel High School

In 1990, Sage Steele graduated from Carmel High School in Carmel, Indiana.

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 Bloomington

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

1997: Continued work at WSBT-TV

In 1997, Sage Steele continued in her role at WSBT-TV in South Bend, Indiana, working as a news producer and reporter.

1997: Moved to WISH-TV in Indianapolis

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

1998: Continued work at WISH-TV

In 1998, Sage Steele continued her role as a weekend morning sports anchor and weekday reporter at WISH-TV in Indianapolis, covering various sports events.

1998: Joined WFTS in Tampa, Florida

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

1999: Married Jonathan Bailey

In 1999, Sage Steele married Jonathan Bailey.

2001: Continued at WFTS

In 2001, Sage Steele continued working as a sports reporter at WFTS in Tampa, Florida, covering sports teams throughout Central Florida.

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, covering sports in the Washington, DC/Baltimore region. This marked her as one of the network's original personalities upon its launch.

2004: Turned Down ESPN Job Offer

In 2004, Sage Steele was offered a job with ESPN, but turned it down because she was pregnant with her second child.

March 16, 2007: Debut on ESPN

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

2007: Departure from CSN Mid-Atlantic

In 2007, Sage Steele concluded her six-year tenure as a reporter and anchor at CSN Mid-Atlantic, where she covered sports in the Washington, DC/Baltimore region and served 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.

2012: Hosted SportsCenter's daytime coverage of the NBA Finals

In 2012, Sage Steele hosted SportsCenter's daytime coverage of the NBA Finals, marking a significant point in her career covering basketball.

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 and was playfully bumped by Jimmie Johnson.

2013: Became Host of NBA Countdown

Beginning in the 2013-14 NBA season, Sage Steele became the host of NBA Countdown on ESPN and ABC.

2013: Gary Steele Inducted into Army Sports Hall of Fame

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

2013: Concluded Hosting Scripps National Spelling Bee

In 2013, Sage Steele concluded her hosting duties for the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

2013: Continued Hosting SportsCenter's daytime coverage of the NBA Finals

In 2013, Sage Steele continued to host SportsCenter's daytime coverage of the NBA Finals, which expanded her broadcasting profile.

2014: Guest Host on The View

In 2014, Sage Steele was a guest host on The View several times.

2015: Commencement Speaker at Indiana University

In 2015, Sage Steele was the commencement speaker at the Indiana University undergraduate commencement, which she considers the greatest honor 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.

2017: End of NBA Countdown Hosting

In 2017, Sage Steele's four-season run as the host of NBA Countdown on ESPN and ABC came to an end. In 2017, she also co-hosted Miss America.

2018: Co-hosted Miss America 2018 Pageant

In 2018, Sage Steele co-hosted the Miss America pageant on ABC with Chris Harrison.

2019: Divorced Jonathan Bailey

In 2019, Sage Steele and Jonathan Bailey divorced.

2019: Named to the Board of the V Foundation

In 2019, Sage Steele was named to the board of the V Foundation for cancer research.

2020: Covered NBA Finals

In 2020, Sage Steele covered the NBA Finals, marking the end of her eight-year run covering the event every year.

February 2021: Became SportsCenter Co-Anchor

In February 2021, Sage Steele became the noon (ET) SportsCenter co-anchor with Matt Barrie. Prior to this, she had anchored the 6 p.m. ET edition and SportsCenter:AM.

March 2021: Put Avon Home on the Market

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

October 5, 2021: Suspended by ESPN

On October 5, 2021, Sage Steele was suspended with pay by ESPN for remarks she made on Jay Cutler's September 29 podcast regarding COVID-19 vaccine mandates, comments about women's attire, and Barack Obama's racial identity. In response, Steele issued an apology for the controversy caused by her comments.

April 2022: Filed Lawsuit Against ESPN

In April 2022, Sage Steele filed a lawsuit against ESPN, alleging that the network retaliated against her following her suspension. The lawsuit claimed that ESPN took opportunities away from her and degraded her career due to her comments as a private citizen.

August 2023: Settled Lawsuit and Left ESPN

In August 2023, Sage Steele settled her lawsuit against ESPN, and as part of the settlement, she left the network.

March 2024: Named First Podcast Host on Club Random Studios

In March 2024, Sage Steele was announced as the first podcast host on Bill Maher's Club Random Studios podcast network, where Maher seeks individuals who offer unfiltered opinions.