Sage Marie Steele, born November 28, 1972, in the Panama Canal Zone, is an American broadcaster and host of The Sage Steele Show on Bill Maher’s Club Random Studios podcast network. A former ESPN anchor, she hosted SportsCenter from 2007 to 2023, covering the Super Bowl, The Masters, NBA Finals, and World Series, and led NBA Countdown on ESPN and ABC from 2013 to 2017.
Known for her engaging and polished delivery, Steele also hosted non-sports programs like the Scripps National Spelling Bee (2010–2012), Miss America Pageant (2016–2017), and ABC’s Tournament of Roses Parade since 2018.
Sage Steele Wiki/Bio
| Full Name | Sage Marie Steele |
| Date of Birth | November 28, 1972 |
| Age | 52 (as of July 20, 2025) |
| Profession | Broadcaster, Podcast Host |
| Known For | SportsCenter (2007–2023); The Sage Steele Show (2024–present); NBA Countdown (2013–2017) |
| Hometown | Panama Canal Zone |
| Current Residence | Florida, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Education | Carmel High School (1990); Indiana University Bloomington, B.S. in Sports Communication (1995) |
| Instagram ID | @sagesteele |
Sage Steele Early Life
Born to U.S. Army colonel Gary Steele—the first African-American varsity football player at West Point—and Mona O’Neil Steele of Irish and Italian descent, Sage grew up in a military household. Her childhood spanned several countries, including Greece and Belgium, before her family settled in Colorado Springs. She attended Thomas B. Doherty High School before graduating from Carmel High School in Indiana in 1990.
Steele earned a B.S. in Sports Communication from Indiana University Bloomington in 1995. In 2015, she returned to deliver the undergraduate commencement address, which she called “the greatest honor of her life.” Her multicultural background shaped her open and nuanced perspective on race and identity—topics she frequently explores in interviews and on her show.
Education
| School | Thomas B. Doherty High School (CO); Carmel High School (IN), Class of 1990 |
| College | Indiana University Bloomington, B.S. in Sports Communication (1995) |
Family Details
| Father | Gary Steele |
| Mother | Mona O’Neil Steele |
| Siblings | Brothers: Courtney Steele, Chad Steele (Ravens VP of Media Relations) |
| Marital Status | Divorced (2019) |
| Former Spouse | Jonathan Bailey (m. 1999–2019) |
| Children | Daughters: Quinn (b. 2002), Evan (b. 2006); Son: Nicholas (b. 2004) |
Steele met her former husband, Jonathan Bailey, at Indiana University. They married in 1999 and had three children before divorcing in 2019. She has publicly discussed challenges tied to her mixed-race family, including being mistaken for her children’s nanny. Her brother, Chad Steele, is a senior NFL executive and married to Wendy Steele, with whom he has two children.
Career Highlights
Steele began her career in 1995 at WSBT-TV in South Bend, Indiana, followed by roles at WISH-TV (Indianapolis), WFTS-TV (Tampa), and Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, where she covered the Ravens and anchored SportsNite. She joined ESPN in 2007, quickly becoming a fixture on SportsCenter.
From 2013 to 2017, she hosted NBA Countdown, covering every NBA Finals from 2012 to 2020. Her on-air versatility led to opportunities outside of sports, including hosting Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve and Volcano Live with Nik Wallenda. In 2024, she voiced a character in the animated comedy Mr. Birchum and launched The Sage Steele Show, where she explores deeper, personal conversations.
She also made headlines in 2013 when she drove the pace car at the NASCAR Brickyard 400.
Career Milestones
| Milestone | Details |
| Breakthrough | ESPN debut (SportsCenter, 2007); NBA Countdown host (2013–2017) |
| Major Awards | Indiana University commencement speaker (2015) |
| Notable Work | The Sage Steele Show (2024–present); Mr. Birchum (2024); ESPN coverage of NBA Finals, Super Bowl, and Masters |
Net Worth and Income
| Field | Details |
| Estimated Net Worth | $1.5–$3 million (2025 estimate) |
| Income Sources | ESPN salary (est. $400,000/year); podcast revenue; speaking engagements ($30,000–$50,000 per event) |
At ESPN, Steele reportedly earned an annual salary of around $400,000. Since her departure, she continues to generate income through her podcast, public speaking events, and philanthropic initiatives.
Controversies
- ESPN Suspension (2021): Steele was suspended with pay after controversial remarks on vaccine mandates, women’s attire, and President Obama’s racial identity during Jay Cutler’s podcast. She later filed a lawsuit against ESPN, alleging retaliation and violation of free speech. The case was settled in August 2023, and Steele subsequently left the network.
- PGA Incident (2022): She was hit in the face by a golf ball struck by Jon Rahm at the PGA Championship, resulting in dental injuries. Rahm apologized in 2023, calling her “tough as nails.”
- X Platform Criticism (2025): Some users criticized her for alleged clickbait and lack of transparency, while others linked her ESPN exit to political bias, contrasting her with colleagues like Elle Duncan.
Sage Steele Recent Updates
2023–2024
- ESPN Exit (August 2023): Departed ESPN after a lawsuit settlement.
- Mr. Birchum (April 2024): Voiced a lead role in Adam Carolla’s animated series after replacing Candace Owens.
- Podcast Launch (2024): Debuted The Sage Steele Show, hosting guests like Dana White, Sam Ponder, and Roseanne Barr.
2025
- Podcast Highlights (July 2025): Released emotional interviews with Sam Ponder and Roseanne Barr, reflecting on family, careers, and faith.