Sage Steele is starting a new chapter.
The longtime “SportsCenter” anchor announced Tuesday she is leaving ESPN after 16 years to “exercise my first amendment rights more freely.”
“Life update,” the 50-year-old Steele began on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
“Having successfully settled my case with ESPN/Disney, I have decided to leave so I can exercise my first amendment rights more freely.
“I am grateful for so many wonderful experiences over the past 16 years and am excited for my next chapter!”
ESPN addressed Steele’s departure in a statement Tuesday.
“ESPN and Sage Steele have mutually agreed to part ways. We thank her for her many contributions over the years,” the statement read, according to Variety.
Steele, who made her ESPN debut in 2007, sued the network and its parent company Disney last April over the circumstances that led to her being yanked off the air in 2021.
Sage Steele announced that she is leaving ESPN. Disney General Entertainment ConSteele was pulled off ESPN during a wave of controversy, in which she offered critical comments about the company’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate and former President Barack Obama.
In the lawsuit, Steele claimed she was retaliated against for her comments, violating her right to free speech and her contract.
“I work for a company that mandates it and I had until September 30th to get it done or I’m out,” Steele said during a September 2021 appearance on the “Uncut with Jay Cutler” podcast.
Steele made her ESPN debut in 2007. Instagram/Sage Steele“I respect everyone’s decision, I really do, but to mandate it is sick and it’s scary to me in many ways.”
The lawsuit, which was filed in Connecticut, alleged Steele was sidelined over the remarks and that the company “forced Steele to publicly apologize.”
In June, ESPN filed a motion to dismiss Steele’s lawsuit.
Steele sued ESPN and Disney after being pulled from the air over comments about the company’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate and former President Barack Obama. Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Walter KaitzLater that month, Front Office Sports reported that ESPN offered Steele $501,000 to settle the suit.
Steele’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, rebuked the settlement offer in a statement to The Post.
The details of the settlement have not been revealed.
Steele’s departure comes months after the network laid off more than 15 on-air talents — including Jeff Van Gundy, Max Kellerman and Keyshawn Johnson — in a major cost-cutting move.
