Steele takes issue with ESPN selectively enforcing its policy barring employees from expressing political views based on whether it agrees with their position. “Adding insult to injury, this was done at an event conceived to celebrate and elevate diverse female voices and perspectives.”
“In other words, Gentile openly admitted that ESPN was taking disciplinary action against Steele as a direct result of her constitutionally protected exercise of free speech rights,” the complaint reads. She said that ESPN had “elected” to have Steele “sit this one out” as a result of her comments. Steele argues that ESPN didn’t do anything to rebut reports that she was suspended because it “stood to benefit from the public perception that it had punished for her remarks.” She also claims ESPN continued to punish her by removing her from prime assignments, including coverage of the New York City Marathon, the Rose Parade, and the 12th annual ESPNW Summit, which she had hosted since its inception in 2010.Īt the ESPNW Summit, Laura Gentile, ESPN and Disney’s executive vp commercial marketing, condemned Steele, allegedly in violation of company policy prohibiting ESPN employees from publicly making personal attacks on their colleagues, according to the complaint. As a point of fact, she was never suspended.”
That said we expect that those points of view be expressed respectfully, in a manner consistent with our values, and in line with our internal policies.”ĮSPN denied ever taking disciplinary action, saying in a statement: “Sage remains a valued contributor on some of ESPN’s highest profile content, including the recent Masters telecasts and anchoring our noon SportsCenter. “In a knee-jerk reaction, ESPN and Disney relied on the misleading characterizations of her comments, bowed to groupthink and forced Steele to publicly apologize and suspended her for a period of time in October 2021,” writes Steele’s attorney Bryan Freedman.ĮSPN followed Steele’s apology with a statement that read in part, “We embrace different points of view - dialogue and discussion makes this place great. Steele points to former colleague Jemele Hill, now a contributing writer for The Atlantic, calling her a “clown” for her comments. We know what we’re doing when we put certain things on.”Īccording to the complaint, various news organizations “slammed Steele” by misquoting her and taking her comments out of context. “We need to be responsible as women, too. “When you dress like that, I’m not saying you deserve the gross comments, but you know what you’re doing when you put that outfit on, too,” she said.
On the podcast, Steele also made comments implying that women who wear provocative clothing bear some responsibility for sexism and sexual harassment. When asked by Walters why she doesn’t just identify as Black like Obama, Steele responded that it was “fascinating” that the former president had chosen to identify as Black despite having been raised by his white mother and grandmother. “In this context, when she was asked about her experience as a biracial woman, Steele noted that Barbara Walters once challenged her (on the ABC program The View, owned by Disney) on her biracial identity.” “Steele also offered some frank, unguarded thoughts about media criticism and the refusal of some individuals to accept opinions unlike their own, or not in accord with those they assume are held by others based on appearance, gender, etc.,” the complaint states.
She said the mandate was “sick” and “scary to me in many ways,” indicating that she only complied to keep her job. In a podcast with NFL quarterback Jay Cutler, Steele in September 2021 expressed skepticism about private companies requiring employees to get vaccinated. Disney's Direct-to-Consumer ESPN Would Be "Different Offering" Than ESPN+, CFO Says