Sage Steele | Ep. 176

Summary

FULL SEND PODCAST — Sage Steele | Ep. 176 (Nov 26, 2025)

Host: Shots Podcast Network

---

Overview

In episode 176, the Full Send Podcast welcomes veteran sports broadcaster Sage Steele for a candid and in-depth conversation. The episode covers Sage’s reflections on parenting, her controversial exit from ESPN, social media’s impact on athletes and youth, the state of modern sports media, issues in the NBA and WNBA, and her career’s most memorable moments. True to the FULL SEND style, the discussion is raw, honest, and peppered with humor, personal anecdotes, and provocative takes.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

---

1. Parenting, Social Media, and “Being a Mom Today”

(01:47–08:36)

• Sage shares life as a mom to three adult children (ages 23, 21, 19), reflecting on how parenting changes as kids grow up.
• On motherhood:

  "The second you have a child… especially as a woman, birth a child—because FYI, men can’t do that—like, it’s just not about you anymore." (02:44, Sage Steele)

• She describes the challenge of navigating a world dominated by social media, especially during and after COVID:

  "It’s a lot scarier than when I was a kid. It’s a whole different world… what they think is reality versus what is." (03:56, Sage Steele)

• COVID and lockdowns forced Sage to “loosen up” on social media rules at home, as TikTok and phones became kids’ only social outlets.

Responsibility & Authority

• Sage is candid about being a “hardass” as a parent (groundings, drug tests) and how her strict approach ultimately led to her daughter appreciating the discipline in hindsight.

  "If you’re receiving a penny from me, you’re not an adult yet. Sorry." (07:41, Sage Steele)

---

2. Social Media’s Impact on Kids & Celebrity Parenting

(04:54–06:44)

• The group discusses TikTok culture and its influence, using examples like Kim Kardashian’s daughter North West.

  "Social media... that’s certainly the influence, but who’s helped create that? Her mom. How about parenting?" (05:30, Sage Steele)

• Sage links parenting styles to how children act in the public eye, highlighting her own military family’s “black and white” rules and consequences.

  "It’s very black and white... You chose not to, so there's consequences." (06:14, Sage Steele)

---

3. Race, Stereotypes, and Humor

(08:52–10:23)

• After a playful exchange about Sage having a “dark side,” Sage teasingly accuses the host of racism before flipping the script with wry humor about “black guilt, Catholic guilt, not black enough guilt.”

  "I have the sign in my office that says, 'I love Jesus but I cuss a little,' and I’m like, I think that’s kind of perfect, because I do." (10:20, Sage Steele)

---

4. ESPN, Free Speech, and Leaving Disney

(10:23–17:11)

• On her break with ESPN: Sage describes being suspended after criticizing vaccine mandates on Jay Cutler’s podcast.

  "I got suspended for talking about being forced to take the vaccine, which I thought was wrong... made me publicly apologize, took assignments away." (10:33, Sage Steele)

• She calls out the network’s “hypocrisy,” noting peers could comment on politics but she was penalized for her off-air opinion.

  "That’s the problem... What is the rule? Are we allowed to [talk politics] or not? ... You can't pick and choose, it can't be just the liberal woke agenda that Disney is all about." (13:34, Sage Steele)

• Sage filed a lawsuit against Disney for silencing her; after settlement, she emphasizes her goal was to set a precedent for freedom of expression at workplaces.

  “My goal was to talk about it so other employers—maybe just be fair and equal. Don’t pick and choose who you allow to speak.” (16:21, Sage Steele)

---

5. NBA Gambling Scandal & State of the League

(17:11–22:09)

• The crew discusses recent NBA gambling allegations involving Chauncey Billups and Rosier, with hints at mafia involvement.

  "When you have NBA players... and coaches tied in with the mafia, that's insane. This is just the tip of the iceberg." (18:06, Sage Steele)

• Sage laments the league’s declining ratings, believing politicization (BLM on courts, social justice jerseys, etc.) and internal scandals are turning off fans.

---

6. NBA Debates — Jordan vs. LeBron, Loyalty, and Athlete Culture

(22:09–33:32)

• On the classic MJ vs. LeBron debate, Sage is adamant:

  "Go away... Most of them weren’t alive or old enough to watch Jordan and appreciate how different the league was then." (22:37, Sage Steele)

• She criticizes modern player movement (e.g., Kevin Durant, lack of loyalty), contrasting it with the past generation’s competitive fire and team-first mentality.

  "Those guys, the Bad Boy Pistons, hated the Bulls — I love that." (25:29, Sage Steele)

• On social media and ego:

  "Now, were there other things going on behind the scenes? Yeah, but we didn’t know about it... It’s so hard to compare." (25:51, Sage Steele)

• On Kevin Durant:

  “They [the Warriors] stepped back so he could come in... They won. And then he left.” (28:00, Sage Steele)

---

7. Media, Athlete Sensitivity & The Changing Landscape

(30:53–35:59)

• Sage feels athletes today are “too sensitive” but also faults the media for “gotcha questions” and manufacturing drama for clicks.

  "Half the time they don’t even ask good questions... ask educated questions and you’ll get more respect." (31:00, Sage Steele)

• Praises the rise of athlete-driven content (Players Tribune, in-depth interviews) for giving genuine insight, due to distrust with traditional media.

---

8. WNBA, Caitlin Clark/Angel Reese, and Culture Wars

(36:01–41:28)

• Discusses her WNBA coverage, the league's growth, and Becky Hammon’s coaching success.
• On the Caitlin Clark/Angel Reese dynamic and race narrative:

  "People always bring race into everything now. I’m so tired... It’s exhausting." (38:17, Sage Steele)

• Sage says the rise of Caitlin Clark is “a win, win, win” for the league, regardless of race or sexuality, and players complaining about her attention should see the benefits.

---

9. Women's Sports, Pay, and Market Value

(40:07–41:28)

• Sage stands by market principles for WNBA pay:

  "Would I love for it to be more for them? Absolutely. But guess what? Market value and ratings equal dollars." (41:09, Sage Steele)

---

10. Top Sports Commissioners — Praising Dana White

(42:14–47:48)

• Sage calls Dana White the “GOAT” among sports bosses, citing his apolitical, loyal, and fearless leadership, especially during COVID:

  "Dana does what’s right for his sport, period. He does not care about politics. He does not care what you think." (42:50, Sage Steele)

• Praises his forgiveness of Bud Light after controversy, his loyalty, and his ability to weather criticism for standing by friends like Donald Trump.

---

11. Other Commissioners—NFL, Talent and Market Forces

(47:53–49:24)

• "I always wanted to like Roger Goodell... What I do see is how well that league is doing." (47:53, Sage Steele)
• The group briefly marvels at today’s breadth of athletic “freaks” (Wemby, Ohtani, Mahomes).

---

12. Experience Covering NHL, Humility of Hockey Players

(49:24–52:46)

• Sage fondly recalls covering the Tampa Bay Lightning, highlighting hockey players as:

  "By far the best athletes to work with from a media perspective. The best. Super humble, just chill." (51:13, Sage Steele)

---

13. Career Memories: Baltimore Ravens, Getting Into Journalism

(52:50–56:46)

• Sage’s favorite reporting period: Beat reporter with the Ravens post-2001 Super Bowl, describing the camaraderie with team and staff.
• She traces her dream of sports journalism back to age 11, inspired by watching games with her Army father and seeing sports as “uniting people of all backgrounds.”

  "Sports brought people together... For those three hours, you’re high-fiving strangers and you’re all on the same team." (55:15, Sage Steele)

---

14. Favorite & Most Respected Athletes

(57:25–62:18)

• NFL: Tom Brady, John Elway, Walter Payton (“the most incredible humble athlete”).

  On Sweetness: "He scored a touchdown and he’d trot off the field. My dad would say, act like you’ve been there." (60:07, Sage Steele)

• NBA: Michael Jordan and Steph Curry, commended for their leadership, loyalty, and class.

---

15. The O.J. Simpson Podcast Anecdote

(62:23–64:42)

• Hosts recount having O.J. Simpson on their podcast and the surreal tension around asking about the murders, describing him as charming, almost making one doubt his guilt.
• Sage reflects on O.J.’s former fame and tragedy:

  "He was awesome to watch... Everyone in America loved him... so sad." (64:23, Sage Steele)

---

16. Steph Curry, Marriage, and Handling Public Scrutiny

(64:42–67:59)

• Talks about Steph Curry’s character and family, how “no one’s life is perfect,” and her parents’ example surviving interracial marriage stigma post-1971.
• Sage herself recently remarried and emphasizes not judging others’ marriages just from the outside.

---

17. Athlete Interviews & Being Starstruck

(68:03–69:56)

• Still gets nervous before interviews, even with familiar faces—cites emceeing a Michael Jordan charity event as especially high pressure.

---

18. NBA MVP, Small Markets & Playoff Parity

(69:56–72:18)

• Sage chooses Jokic ("the Joker") over SGA to build a franchise around.

  "You can’t produce big men like that with that skill set." (70:27, Sage Steele)

• Discusses the excitement of small-market teams like Indiana and Oklahoma City as NBA contenders.

---

19. Kyrie Irving, Vaccine Stances, and Media Backlash

(74:48–78:32)

• Highlights Kyrie’s principled refusal of the COVID vaccine, media backlash, and how public opinion has shifted in his favor.

  "The world crushed him, and he was right." (74:48, Sage Steele)

• Sage suggests many athletes never got the shot, citing pressure and image management; admires those like Kyrie and Aaron Rodgers who stood firm:

  "You can think Aaron and Kyrie and everybody is weird or whatever it is... Those guys, they had the balls to say the truth.” (77:21, Sage Steele)

---

20. Career, Cancel Culture, and Advice for Younger Generations

(78:32–80:47)

• On cancel culture, Sage explains that having survived the worst, she now feels free to be herself:

  "That’s the best part about getting canceled—you don’t care... It’s so nice. I just wish people didn’t wait as long as I had…” (79:11, Sage Steele)

• Encourages others to learn from setbacks; she and the hosts bond over building careers from the ground up.

---

Notable Quotes

• On Raising Kids Today:
  "It’s a lot scarier than when I was a kid... what you guys are seeing, you know, give rule." (03:56, Sage Steele)

• On ESPN Suspension & Hypocrisy:
  "That hypocrisy was like too far." (13:00, Sage Steele)

• On Jordan vs. LeBron Debate:
  "Go away… you guys didn’t watch Jordan and appreciate how different the league was then." (22:27, Sage Steele)

• On Athlete Sensitivity & Media:
  "I think a lot of them are, but I also think the media sucks." (30:53, Sage Steele)

• On Dana White:
  "Dana does what is right for his sport, period. He does not care about politics. He does not care what you think..." (42:50, Sage Steele)

• On Market Value (WNBA):
  "Would I love for it to be more for them? Absolutely. But guess what? Market value and ratings equal dollars." (41:09, Sage Steele)

• On Cancel Culture Freedom:
  "That’s the best part about getting canceled—as in, you don’t care... they try to scare you into silence. And then you go, what?" (79:11, Sage Steele)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Parenting & Social Media: 01:47–08:36
• ESPN Lawsuit & Free Speech: 10:23–17:11
• NBA Gambling, Scandals, and League Politics: 17:11–25:43
• Athletes & Media/Ego: 25:43–35:59
• WNBA & Caitlin Clark/Angel Reese: 36:01–41:28
• Commissioners & Dana White Praise: 42:14–47:48
• Favorite Athletes & Career Stories: 57:25–64:42
• Kyrie Irving, COVID, Vaccine Controversy: 74:48–78:32
• Best Life Advice & Final Thoughts: 78:32–end

---

Tone & Style

The episode is lively, irreverent, and unfiltered—full of the Full Send Podcast’s characteristic banter, with Sage matching the hosts’ energy and not dodging tough or awkward questions. There’s a blend of humor (“Black don’t crack!”), self-deprecation, deep reflection, and veteran wisdom throughout.

---

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode delivers an authentic, often provocative dive into motherhood, cancel culture, sports media, athlete psychology, and lessons in resilience—with Sage Steele’s sharp wit and candor making it a standout conversation for sports fans and culture watchers alike.

Transcript

[Sage Steele]

So good, so good, so good. Give big, save big with Rack Friday deals at Nordstrom Rack. For a limited time, take an extra 40% off red tag clearance for a total Savings up to 75% off. Save on gifts for everyone on your list from brands like Vince Cole, Haan, Sam Edelman and more. All sales final and restrictions apply. The best stuff goes fast. So bring your gift list and your wish list to your nearest Nordstrom rack today.

[Prize Picks Advertiser]

If you guys have not tried out the Prize Picks app by now, Prize Picks is by far the best. Instead of choosing teams, you can choose individual players. So each player is a set projection. You either go more or less than that set projection. You can still choose projections on players, but finally on Prize Picks you can choose teams. So you can go on the Prize Picks app now and literally just choose who you think is gonna win. You can also choose the spread and you can choose the total on games. They have culture events too, like crypto, politics, Entertainment. It's absolutely insane. Prizepix offers DFS and free to play $50 provided as prizepix DFS lineups. Must spend $5 of real money on prize picks before receiving bonus lineups. Prizepix Predict is a registered FCFM offering team picks and culture picks as event contracts. Both involve significant risk.

[Podcast Host 1]

Not for all.

[Prize Picks Advertiser]

Must be 18 and for event contracts, be a US resident. Restrictions apply.

[Sage Steele]

Void where prohibited.

[Podcast Host 1]

Use responsibly.

[Prize Picks Advertiser]

For help, call 1-800-426-2537 or visit n gambling.org trial code NELK. Take advantage of this code. If you've never tried it. If you put in $5, you're gonna get $50 for free. But guys, I'm so fired up about these new additions to Prize Picks. Complete game changer. I'm gonna be firing more than I already am. Shout out to Prize Picks. Use code Nelk.

[Podcast Host 1]

Let's get into this video. How many kids do you have?

[Sage Steele]

Three.

[Podcast Host 1]

What are their ages?

[Sage Steele]

23, 21, 19. So, my God, what's it like having.

[Podcast Host 1]

Kids at that age? I feel like that's when they start to get a little.

[Sage Steele]

Oh, I almost. It's getting easier.

[Podcast Host 1]

Oh, it's getting easier.

[Sage Steele]

The 19 year old, she's a sophomore at Ole Miss sorority. She's actually in the same sorority as Lane Kiffin's daughter.

[Podcast Host 1]

Okay.

[Sage Steele]

You know that whole Lane Kiffin chaos. And at Ole Miss, he's. He's awesome.

[Podcast Host 1]

What's going on with that?

[Sage Steele]

Well, not him in particular, just Ole Miss. Okay. And sororities and the south and sec. So she's Having the time of her life. She's awesome. So she's, you know, she's a baby. And then my son's in the middle of these two, I always say, like, these two psycho girls of mine. And he's a saint, and he goes to High Point University. And then the oldest is one that has a job in Nashville. Job. She actually got a job, like, real adult, paying bills.

[Podcast Host 1]

What's the hardest part of being a mom? And your favorite part?

[Sage Steele]

My favorite part is, like, probably kind of cliche, but the second you have a child, especially as a woman, birth a child. Because FYI, men can't do that, despite what people like to say, doesn't happen. Impossible. Like, it's just not about you. You know what I mean? And you now are responsible for this human. And I did it two more times. So it's just that whole thing about you never really understand love until then. Like, it's legit because, like, she came from me.

[Podcast Host 1]

I know.

[Sage Steele]

Sorry to be graphic.

[Podcast Host 1]

That's what I'm starting to realize now, too. Like, all the shit I did as a kid.

[Sage Steele]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 1]

Like, I'm surprised my parents didn't strangle me.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 1]

It's like, I created you, and you're, like, going to, like, touch talk back to me. And, like, it's funny.

[Sage Steele]

Yeah. Like, I gave you life, and this is how you treat.

[Podcast Host 1]

Like, literally, you came out of me. Like, shut up.

[Sage Steele]

Like, have respect. Yeah. Yeah. So I. I. But that's the. I think the hardest part is now because of where this world is. And with this, all the stuff that we're doing in social media and what they think is reality versus what is. And then I'm just the old, you know, psycho mom in their eyes, and I'm like, no, this is real, and this is not. Like, this is a fake life over here. Do you know what I mean?

[Podcast Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sage Steele]

So that part's hard because you do sound like just the annoying old parent. But, like, it's a lot scarier than when I was a kid. It's a whole different world. Like, what you guys are seeing, you know, give rule.

[Podcast Host 2]

How hard are. How strict are you with your rules with social media and stuff like that?

[Podcast Host 1]

Well, they're, like, 19.

[Sage Steele]

Once they leave your house, like, the baby's 19. You got to give up.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah.

[Sage Steele]

Like, I kind of gave up. I don't want to say gave up. I had to loosen up, like, during COVID years because we were locked up in. In the Northeast. You know what I mean? They locked us up. We were stuck in the house. No school, no sports, no nothing. So all they had was social media, was their phone was like. That's when all the TikTok. I feel like that's when all the TikTok craze really began, like, with the dances and the moms and dads doing lame dances. I feel like that's when it really went crazy. But that's the only outlet they had, so I had to loosen up then.

[Podcast Host 2]

I like Tik Tok. Am I cool to curse in front of you?

[Sage Steele]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 1]

Okay.

[Podcast Host 2]

You're like a sweet mom. I don't know if that's cool or.

[Sage Steele]

Not, but I don't know. I'm a mom. Out.

[Podcast Host 1]

You're cooler than I thought right away.

[Sage Steele]

Yeah, obviously. Yeah, sorry.

[Podcast Host 1]

Not as a disc. When you walked in, I was like, oh, she's cool as hell.

[Podcast Host 2]

I feel like the Tik Tok whole era is up. The kids pretty bad. And I just like. But specifically talk about one person. But, like, I look at Kim Kardashian's daughter, Northwest. I don't know if you've seen her.

[Sage Steele]

Yep.

[Podcast Host 2]

But she has, like, teeth done. Blue hair, 12 years old. And it just seems like this social media can really affect these kids in a negative way.

[Podcast Host 1]

Is she like that all the time or is that for, like, Halloween?

[Podcast Host 2]

No, that's her new look.

[Podcast Host 1]

Oh.

[Sage Steele]

And she goes around flipping off cameras and stuff. Okay, yes, social media, and that's certainly the influence, but who's helped create that? Her mom. And how about parenting? Yeah. Like, no, you don't get a grill. No, your hair is not blue. No, you don't act like a jerk to adults, to other human beings. Like, that's called parenting, and it's hard.

[Podcast Host 1]

But she also has got Kanye's genes, though, too. We can't blame Kim for everything on that one.

[Sage Steele]

She the one that had babies.

[Podcast Host 1]

But like.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah, yeah.

[Sage Steele]

I mean, at some point, there's decisions along the way, right? Yeah, yeah. But still, Connie's not even around that much from what I've heard. Right.

[Podcast Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sage Steele]

So as a mom. And by the way, I respect the heck out of her. She's like, I fuck with Kim K. Hard worker.

[Podcast Host 1]

She's a boss.

[Sage Steele]

She's earned all of it. Like, I love that and I respect that. And I'm also like, who's the parent? No. Like, you have to say no. You have to crush them at times. But I. My dad was a. I mean, he's still alive, but retired army colonel, like, military, West Point push ups. Like, I grew up like that where there's no, it's very black and white. This is what you were supposed to do. You chose not to. So there's consequences. Like, it's. I'm not saying it's easy all the time, but it is when you look at it.

[Podcast Host 2]

That was my upbringing, too.

[Sage Steele]

Really?

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah. Report card when I got home, if I got below a B. Punishment grounding, like, stuff like that accountability video.

[Podcast Host 1]

Can't drive the Mercedes for a whole 24 hours.

[Podcast Host 2]

Lost the bends a couple times. If I got caught, I got smoking weed. Was. Got drug tested.

[Podcast Host 1]

You got drug tested by your dad? Yeah, by Harvey Steinberg?

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 1]

Really?

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah. Passed it, too. And. And I was definitely in my system.

[Sage Steele]

Did you. I was gonna say, what did you put in the test? You had that bottle of water on the side when you took the test.

[Podcast Host 2]

I had a friend pee for me one time.

[Sage Steele]

There you go.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah. And then I just drank a lot of water and Gatorade for like a week, building up to it.

[Sage Steele]

Oh, because you knew it was coming. Well, that's his mistake. We can't tell you that it's coming. I. I bought them and gate. And administered them, too. To my kids.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 1]

Really?

[Podcast Host 2]

Is that crossing the line? Because.

[Sage Steele]

What do you mean?

[Podcast Host 2]

Like, at what age were they? I was 8. I was 17.

[Podcast Host 1]

That's interesting.

[Sage Steele]

15, 16.

[Podcast Host 2]

Okay, so that maybe that makes sense, but I don't.

[Sage Steele]

I don't care, like, as long as you're in my house, number one. And then number two, if you're receiving any. If you're receiving a penny from me, you're not an adult yet. Sorry. And so those are my rules. And if you smoke, if you do any of it, like, no, you're out. Yeah, I mean, not out. I'm not kicking you out, but there's consequences. Like, to me, it's just. It's so simple.

[Podcast Host 1]

Did they pass or no?

[Sage Steele]

Yes.

[Podcast Host 1]

Any few failures sometimes no failures.

[Sage Steele]

I think she knew. I didn't tell her, but I think she knew it was coming. But again, there were. She was grounded a lot. And you know what she said? Literally last week? She goes, mom, you're a hard ass, and I'm definitely harder than their dad. And she goes, you were hard, and I thought you were awful at the time. She's like, but you needed to do more. And I was like, oh, my gosh. Like, it was a struggle because I was always the mean parent, but for her to now, at 23, be like, oh, I'm going to be harder than you. You. That means we're doing the right thing.

[Podcast Host 2]

I don't find you very intimidating. I couldn't.

[Sage Steele]

I'm very intimidating. I don't know why you're sitting far away, though.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah, but I'd have to piss you off or say something crazy. No.

[Podcast Host 1]

Sage could be a hard ass, too. Yeah, you don't want to underestimate her kindness for, like, weakness and just tell.

[Podcast Host 2]

Bro, look, there's, like, a dark side.

[Podcast Host 1]

Not dark, but stern.

[Sage Steele]

Why are you being racist?

[Podcast Host 2]

Oh, here we go. Wow. Here we go.

[Sage Steele]

Why is it. Why?

[Podcast Host 3]

Here we go.

[Podcast Host 2]

And I was gonna. I was gonna bring up Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. I can't wait.

[Sage Steele]

It's a strong side. But you said dark side.

[Podcast Host 2]

Just like the evil side.

[Sage Steele]

Oh, evil, too. Black people are evil. It's cool.

[Podcast Host 2]

That's so crazy. I just get away with that.

[Sage Steele]

It's good. I'm glad we got this out of the way at the beginning.

[Podcast Host 2]

And now I'm supposed to say, I have all my friends are black.

[Sage Steele]

Oh, no. I have black neighbors. Exactly. What was the question?

[Podcast Host 2]

Now we got to change up?

[Sage Steele]

No. Oh, am I. Do I have a dark side? Yeah. Here's the. It takes a lot. It takes a lot to get me really mad. But when I do. I mentioned it the other day. I felt Something happened the other day, and I felt this, like. Like fire coming out of my chest. And then I have to. I do have to watch my language. Like, what my. Especially on my mom. Try to be respectful. My parents are my best friends besides my husband, and they're 79 and 76, and they're awesome, and, you know, they're super cool. But there's, like, a respect thing, too. I feel, like, around parents where I don't need to say the F word. And then I have. I have, like, Christian guilt, Catholic guilt, black guilt, half black guilt, because I'm not black enough guilt and white guilt and all the guilt. And I have the sign in my office that says, I love Jesus, but I cuss a little, and I'm like, I think that's kind of perfect, because I do. But then I've got a potty mouth, so how do I. How do I balance that? So that's what happens when I get mad, is then my. My mouth goes south.

[Podcast Host 3]

What was a moment? You were like, specific moment where you're like, espn, I'm done with it. Big Ace, was there a specific moment where you were like, all right, I'm just.

[Sage Steele]

That's it.

[Podcast Host 3]

I'm done with espn.

[Sage Steele]

Yeah. I mean, it built up to it, but the turning point was I Got suspended and was actually like, okay, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Because I, you know, never wanted to upset anybody. I got suspended for talking about being forced to take the vaccine, which I thought was wrong.

[Podcast Host 1]

Online or offline.

[Sage Steele]

On a podcast, on an off day on a podcast. It was Jay Cutler's podcast. He had just started his new show. I think I was, like, his third guest. And he asked me because I had literally just come getting shot, and I was livid. Like, I was pissed.

[Podcast Host 2]

Did you not anticipate repercussions from saying that on the color podcast?

[Sage Steele]

It was, like, honestly, so organic. It was a conversation. And I didn't think about it because I complied with the rules. I took your shot. I took your fake shot. Like, I did it. But no, if you look back at the video on the actual podcast with color, there was some hesitation because I knew, like, this is a touchy subject, but I did it. I complied. So I can still have an opinion that I think it's wrong to do it, but I complied. The turning point after that was, okay for saying that they suspended me. Took me off the air for almost two weeks, made me publicly apologize, like, issue a whole statement. Took assignments away for a long time. Like, I hosted the Rose Parade out in Pasadena and the New York City Marathon. Like, all these things that were important to me took them away. And I was like, okay, fine, back to work. You know, I was scared and embarrassed and like, oh, my God. And then the problem was that they kept allowing my peers to go on ESPN airwaves and talk about things that had nothing to do with sports, like abortion on an NBA show. Sorry, that's one of the problems with ESPN through the years. They've allowed, you know, crossover, where people come to ESPN and any sports network to do what? To watch sports and talk sports. We don't really care about your politics on espn. Viewers usually don't. Or an NFL show to talk about the don't say Gay bill. Florida allegedly never said those words in the bill if he took a second to read it. So when I saw that hypocrisy of allowing all those people to do it on espn, nothing to do with sports. But then I'm on a side podcast talking about a shot that I actually complied with. It's just the hypocrisy of it. So that's when I was like, hell, no, you can't. I mean, you can, but now I'm going to push back because I was a model employee for 16, 17 years and that hypocrisy was like too far.

[Podcast Host 2]

That's actually something I noticed. I don't really want to call him out, but like, that's why I don't really agree with SVP is because he's there talking. He does, after the games, does a sports show and then he'll start talking about politics. And it's in my mind you're, you're using ESPN's platform. It's not your platform, it's ESPN and you're talking about something and you have a lot of power and you're very opinionated and it's not about sports. And I'll sit there and be like, how is he allowed to use this platform and talk about this stuff and kind of give listeners his opinion and try and persuade them a certain type of way about something that has nothing to do with sports?

[Sage Steele]

That's the problem. And that was my point.

[Podcast Host 2]

I stopped watching ESPN after that.

[Sage Steele]

And unfortunately millions of people have. But that's the problem. What is the rule? Are we allowed to or not? And if we are, fine. But you can't pick and choose. It can't be just the, the liberal woke agenda that Disney is all about. And I did mine away from ESPN on purpose. Again, it wasn't intentional, it was a reaction. I had just come from getting the shot like 20min before, so I was a little hot. But I still would never have said that on, on tv. I would never have said I think it's wrong on ESPN because that's not why you're watching me. Do you know what I mean? I had respect for the network and the profession in that way. So when they did that repeatedly, repeatedly and all I did was ask for consistency and then an apology for punishing me publicly and they said no. So I filed a lawsuit against Disney. Once you file a lawsuit against the, your employer that you're still working for and I'm still on their TV screens every day while I'm suing them. I knew that would obviously that's the end of my time there. It took 22 months, like from suspension to the lawsuit settling with Disney. It was almost two full years. So I was still going on TV every day while I'm suing them. It was crazy.

[Podcast Host 1]

Are you allowed to say what the settlement ended as a settlement? Disney, that's got to be pretty decent.

[Sage Steele]

Well, it's more about like, I'll just say this. The fact that I'm allowed to talk about my whole experience there and the fact that I sued them and why I sued them. And all that came with it. The behind the scenes leading up to the lawsuit. Most people aren't able to this episode.

[Podcast Host 1]

Is brought to you by White Claw. Search. Great podcast pick friend. No surprises there. After all, you're all about finding the tastiest flavors out there. Just like White Claw Surge. And with big bold flavors to enjoy like blood orange, BlackBerry, cranberry and more. It's time to go all in on taste. Unleash the flavor. Unleash White Cloth Surge. Please drink responsibly. Hard seltzer with flavors. 8% alcohol by volume. White cloth seltzer works Chicago, Illinois speak.

[Sage Steele]

After they settle and so you had some leverage. I'm really happy with the settlement because most importantly, like think about the hypocrisy of I sue them for kind of silencing me. So freedom of speech in many ways, even though it's not under the constitution, it's under there is a statute in the state of Connecticut where ESPN is where you are actually allowed to be critical of your employer if you're complying with their rules. And I was again, I didn't know that going in but when we did some research afterwards. Yeah but for me to like if I had, I sued them under that overall again this first Amendment state of Connecticut employment law, not constitution and over silencing me. But then I settle a lawsuit and stay silent like there's. There's hypocrisy in that. Right. So super important for me to be able to speak and not for me because my time there is over. Right. But other people at ESPN who feel silenced. How about other people at companies around this country who feel silenced and afraid and fearful that they can only say one thing. If they believe this, it's fine. If you believe this, you're out. So my goal is to. Was to talk about it so other employers maybe maybe just be fair and equal. Don't pick and choose who you allow to speak. That's all I ever wanted. So that's why it's important. That's why it was important for me to stand up. Even though it was really scary and I didn't ever want to blow up my career. Like I loved that job. But sometimes principle matters.

[Podcast Host 3]

What's your thought on the NBA gambling situation right now with Billups and Rosier? You think like the FBI is going to crack down on more players like gambling and games and I hope so.

[Sage Steele]

If that's happening, it's ruining the integrity of the game. You know, it sucks because I didn't know Terry, but I knew Chauncey. I worked with Chauncey a lot. I don't know if people remember he worked at ESPN after his career, before he took that Portland job, which was like his first coaching job. You know, I mean, I would sit on set with him or in the break room and we'd, you know, go over his segments. And as far as an analyst, like, how are you? How are you better? Because he was just coming into tv. People don't understand, by the way, like, it's one thing to be a great player, it's not a thing to be able to actually talk about it and break down plays on tv. These are two very different things. And so he was, you know, wanting to learn and we were friends. We're on the road for years for the finals and stuff. So it sucks for me to see it. Yes, I think they're going to continue to crack down. I think this is just tip of the iceberg. When you have hall of Famer like John C. Billups, right? When you have NBA players, active NBA players and coaches tied in with the mafia, that's insane. Like when I heard that, it gave me chills. Like that's a whole other level. What it was at 10, 12 years ago, maybe longer, with Tim Donaghy, the NBA referee that was involved in it. That was a major scandal. I don't know if you remember because how old were you then? Do I even want to know? You were like four.

[Podcast Host 3]

Oh yeah, probably four or five.

[Sage Steele]

And diapers like no big deal games, right?

[Podcast Host 2]

He was just giving tips of who was maybe playing and who wasn't.

[Sage Steele]

I don't even remember all the details. It was, it was deeper than that.

[Podcast Host 1]

Has there been discovery about like why he did it or was he like, was he forced to or was he not?

[Sage Steele]

Who?

[Podcast Host 1]

Phillips.

[Podcast Host 2]

When I. Oh, that hasn't come out yet.

[Sage Steele]

That's not. I can't wait to learn all about it. But literally it comes down to what always the almighty dollar. And at the end of the day, for Cash Patel, for them to have a press conference the way that they did, I mean this has been a years long investigation. This has been going on for so long. How about the glasses that they were wearing? I mean this is really super deep. So this is just the tip of the I. But they had to do it this way to send a message, right? By using an active head coach and an active player. But with the mafia, like for the five biggest mafia families involved in this, there's going to be so many heads rolling. I hope not literally, but like this is massive and it, it sucks because the NBA, you know, except for like the playoffs and the finals overall during the regular season, those numbers haven't been great over the last five to 10 years. And I don't think it's a coincidence that it's timing wise with all the wokeness and the chaos. I mean look at what's on the courts and Black Lives matter and all the political statements even on the back of jerseys for a long time, everybody kneeling and then if you didn't kneel then you're a racist in the sellout. Like I feel like they've overplayed their hand there and it's really unfortunate. So the fact that it happened at the beginning of the season, there's going to be more to come.

[Podcast Host 3]

Do you think there was any meaning of Billups wearing the clutch sports hoodie, walking out to the. Walking out of the. The. Where was he at?

[Podcast Host 2]

Conspiracy.

[Prize Picks Advertiser]

I don't know.

[Podcast Host 3]

I'm gonna be. I'm gonna be honest. That's kind of like. I don't know if you could say anything about that, but I don't know a little bit of meaning.

[Sage Steele]

I thought. I don't know. All what I do know is that everything these guys put on is intentional. They're too smart. Like when you are sitting down for an interview when you know there's cameras everywhere, you are intentional about what you're wearing. You're. That hat is not a coincidence that you're wearing. Happy dinner.

[Podcast Host 2]

FBI shows up at your house and they. You're getting arrested. You probably just throw something on and walk out. Maybe like remember Aaron Hernandez just throwing a white tee?

[Sage Steele]

True. Oh my God. Aaron Hernandez. I remember being at ESPN during the whole time. Yeah, true, but. And I haven't gone that deep about it with clutch. I actually haven't. But I do found it interesting.

[Podcast Host 3]

He just wore it and was walking out with it. I don't know.

[Sage Steele]

I just think no matter. Well, and it's probably a good point because no matter what, so many people knew about this. So many people had to for all these years. So it makes me sad because actually when I started to cover NBA, just NBA from like 2013. 13, yeah, 2013 through 2019. Sorry, 13 through 17. I was just NBA. And so I was on the road, I mean hosted NBA countdown. So on the road for all the conference finals, finals games, like all of it. I fell in love with it because I feel like it's one of the few sports where you can actually feel it. You can be closer and they don't wear a mask, right? A helmet, anything. I say mask, like it's Covid time. A helmet. Anything covering their face so you can see everything. You can see their emotions, you can see when they're mad or, you know, hurting, in pain, whatever it is. And so with basketball, like you're right there, you can see it and feel it all. So I fell in love with it because of that ability and because it's smaller than football. So you can get to know people, you can get to know, you know, like stories and behind the scenes stuff. So I loved it. But I feel like they're. They're literally killing themselves with this stuff.

[Podcast Host 3]

What was your favorite NBA finals you've covered or sporting event?

[Podcast Host 1]

Honestly, you cover Jordan a lot, right?

[Sage Steele]

You're totally aging me. But yes, that's pretty cool. I know. So that's why to me, when people bring up the LeBron Jordan debate, even my son, I'm like, go away.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah, I hate that. That conversation.

[Sage Steele]

Go away. You guys didn't.

[Podcast Host 2]

No one's gonna change their minds in the.

[Podcast Host 1]

Yeah, Bayless. So we did a whole podcast about that.

[Podcast Host 2]

Old generation versus new generation. It's like the same thing.

[Sage Steele]

It is. But here's the thing, like everyone now says LeBron, most of them weren't alive or old enough to watch Jordan and to appreciate it and to feel and see the difference and to appreciate how different the league was then. I mean, defensively it was so much tougher. The rules were different.

[Podcast Host 2]

Just tell you, because that people always make that argument and Stephen A. Made that argument. But the talent today is far superior than it was back then. And I think we can agree on that.

[Podcast Host 3]

We're about to get into it now.

[Sage Steele]

I think, I don't think a lot.

[Podcast Host 2]

Of those guys are getting time in today's NBA for being real.

[Sage Steele]

I don't know. I think again, just like you said, that the argument is ridiculous to have LeBron and Jordan. Maybe it's. That's. This is the same thing. Because we'll never know. So we can sit here and debate it, but I would love to see Jordan in this league today. I think here's the other thing. The intent tangible that LeBron does not have. First of all, how many teams did Michael Jordan play for?

[Podcast Host 2]

2.

[Sage Steele]

Do you count the Wizards? Really?

[Podcast Host 2]

No. But I mean, if you're asking, he played for two teams.

[Sage Steele]

Okay, who did he play for?

[Podcast Host 2]

The Bulls.

[Sage Steele]

Yeah, Bulls. So how many teams has have these other super. How about Kevin Durant right now? Like, he is beyond a generational talent. Yeah. And look, every time it isn't going well, you leave, you run away. So I think that there's some intangibles with that other generation, the prior generation led by Michael Jordan, where it's like, hell no, we're going to win and we're going to lo together and we're going to fight, we're going to claw and I'm going to uplift you. Did you watch the last dance? I'm sure you did.

[Podcast Host 2]

Of course.

[Sage Steele]

I mean, incredible. Like I got emotional watching some of it because I got to see some of it in person and because no one will ever understand. And I can't either because I wasn't in those locker rooms with him. But there's no one in the league right now that's really doing that. I do think Stephen Curry is able to do that in very different ways than Michael Jordan. He is glue. He's that guy. He just does it quietly. But look at the hatred that came Michael's way. And I don't blame them. I mean, it's almost like having a really annoying, heavy handed, strict parent. That's what Michael was because he's like, I am not wasting my time if you all are not in this with me and if you're not, get the hell out. So who does that these days? Give me an athlete in, in the NBA that really does that right now in the NFL, Tom Brady did that, Peyton Manning did that.

[Podcast Host 2]

In terms of being loyal to their.

[Sage Steele]

Team and, well, loyalty for sure. And I know it's a different league, right? So again, can you even compare? Because look at free agency and look at the money. But I love that that those guys, the bad boy Detroit Pistons, hated the Bulls, I love that. Like it wasn't just on the court and then they're going to go hang out on a banana boat with Dwayne Wade afterwards and hang out in vacation together. No, there's like real hatred and I love that. So those playoff series, I mean, I witnessed Knicks, Pacers, Eastern Conference finals and what year was that? 95, 96. Whatever year it was when, when Reggie. Yeah, yeah, of course, you know, in eight seconds, like I was in Indianapolis at that time, like witnessing that whole thing and the hatred and Spike Lee, like I would do anything to go back to those times. And I mean, I know I sound like that old man, get off my lawn 100. But like it just, it's just different.

[Podcast Host 1]

Is there more egos now, you think?

[Sage Steele]

Well, the fact that everybody's like this with their phones and everything is maybe.

[Podcast Host 1]

Social media like, created a lot more egos with, like, stuff.

[Podcast Host 2]

Right?

[Sage Steele]

100. It did. I mean, not that there weren't massive egos then, but it just wasn't on display for the whole world to see. And all that mattered was basketball. Now, were there other things going on behind the scenes? Yeah, but we didn't know about it. And then they weren't able to make money based on this post or that post. And, you know, marketing, everything was different. It's no one's fault. Like, we can't fault today's players for it because it is a different generation, just like our kids who have the phones. And it's a different generation. But at the end of the day, that's why I think it's so hard to compare. And because I saw it, I would 100 times out of 100 want to be watching that basketball, want to be on those teams, want to be broadcasting about those teams, not these guys. Where the next time something goes wrong or you don't like your coach, then you bitch about it and you get them fired or you ask for a trade. Like, it's. It's so annoying. How many times have Kevin. Has Kevin Durant been on now?

[Podcast Host 2]

Okay, I know.

[Sage Steele]

Houston, and, by the way, Phoenix, too. Hi. Hi. Where is he now? Houston.

[Podcast Host 2]

Houston.

[Sage Steele]

Houston. But guess what?

[Podcast Host 2]

This is why it's a problem. Because he's. How old is he? 37, 38. And he's making 40 million a year.

[Sage Steele]

Exactly. That's why I'm saying that part's not their fault. But what's here does matter. You don't think Stephen Curry could have gone somewhere else and gotten more and got more marketing, a slightly bigger market? Are you kidding me? Absolutely. There's something that you can't teach that some of those players have. Very few have it today. And I don't think it's necessarily their fault, but back then, it was different. It was different. And I hate when they run away. When they run away, like a little. You know what? I know my mom will watch this when they want. When they run away like a little bitch, I have nothing for them.

[Podcast Host 1]

I want to say that about Katie's.

[Sage Steele]

Done, but that's your boy. But I also. I get it. The money part. What I don't get is the loyalty. Here's one thing, and I'll shut up.

[Podcast Host 1]

But it goes up to the player. Like, isn't there. Couldn't it be, like, some part of the team that tries to kick them out or, like, starts like, shit, where.

[Sage Steele]

They'Re like, players run the Teams, players told to run the teams. I think we all know that. Also, what people don't talk about is in Golden State, when he wanted to leave Oklahoma City, he and Russell Westbrook weren't getting along. Right. So. And they lost to the warriors and the playoffs. Remember all the crap he got for then? Yeah. They're up there for then. Wasn't that the kicking games and all that? Yeah. And then to go to the team that just beat you. Remember, he got a bunch of crap for that. In order to go there, what had to happen, you had Draymond Green, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson. They were already a big three. They had already won a title. They were great. But they knew they needed a little bit more. So what did those three massive global superstars do? They step back. They got on a plane, they went to the Hamptons, they met with kd and they took a step back themselves to allow this guy, because he's a generational talent, one of the all time greats, obviously, to feel welcome to come in. They step back their egos and they went and got him and they brought them in and what they do, they won. And Katie was a massive difference maker. And then I don't know what happened behind the scenes, but all of a sudden and he wants out. Like they could. You talk about a dynasty that could easily have rivaled anyone in history. If KD stays.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah, I think.

[Sage Steele]

And he left and the way he handled it was crappy.

[Podcast Host 2]

I think two things is that KD also played a big role by. He kind of stepped, put his ego aside because he knew that was Stephen Curry's team.

[Sage Steele]

He knew he needed a ring.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah.

[Sage Steele]

And that's how he was going to get one is to go to the team that beat.

[Podcast Host 2]

He had all the, the fans, everyone literally coming at him for years, to the point where he was like, wow, maybe I got to go out there and prove I can win a championship without these guys.

[Sage Steele]

He did not have fans coming after him until he left Oklahoma City to join the team that just beat him.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah, that's what I'm saying.

[Podcast Host 1]

But didn't him and Westbrook have personal beef, though?

[Podcast Host 3]

They weren't meshing on the court.

[Sage Steele]

Yeah. I mean, they were making tough people.

[Podcast Host 3]

Making it to the Western Conference finals. And you know, they were making it deep, but they weren't.

[Sage Steele]

Russell was tough. Russell's. Russell's a tough teammate.

[Podcast Host 3]

Yeah. And I mean, I don't think what Katie did wasn't like. I don't think it was that bad. I get it. In the moment, it was crazy. But two time final mvp, you know, I mean, he's one.

[Sage Steele]

I didn't mind that he did it. What I think what was sad was that he took it so personally when the fans came after him. So that's another reason why I love him. Like, I can criticize somebody but still really love and respect them. And that's how I feel about him because I think he's actually like super sensitive. And his relationship with his mother, like, he's a good guy and he's sensitive. And when these fans across the, the whole sport came after him, that hurt him and then he got mad. So he went to Golden State hurt and mad. And it worked out because he was KD and he did it and he led the way and he got hurt too. So I try to understand the human element of this, not just the critical. Okay, what'd you do? And you're soft. No, there's, there's definitely more to it. But that is what comes when you're making $40 million a year. And then when you jump around.

[Podcast Host 3]

Do you think athletes today are too sensitive with the media?

[Sage Steele]

I think a lot of them are, but I also think the media sucks. You know, I mean, half the time they don't even ask good questions. You know, I think it's just a, it's a. Again, it's all changed. And again, I'm going to sound like an old person, but like it's just different when you can ask tough, honest, genuine questions. And as the media, you shouldn't be trying to just get clicks. It shouldn't be a gotcha question, you know, like, let's ask. Really? I wasn't in that huddle, were you? No, we weren't. So as the media, like, I want to know what was the conversation in that huddle? What was the game plan coming in? Because you said you were going to, you know, give so and so the ball, you know, a minimum of 20 to 25 times. That's what a good running back is going to get to get, need to get going. And then you give it to him 12 times. You know, what changed during the game. Like, ask educated questions and then you'll get more respect from the athletes and the coaches. So I think it's, yes, the athletes are super sensitive now, which goes along with how the whole world is about things more important than sports, for goodness sake. But as the media, sports media, I mean, look at news like no one watches, you know, those main networks on, you know, abc, NBC, CBS anymore, because they've lost all credibility. That is part of it as well. When you don't do your homework and don't come in with good questions on any level. As an athlete, as a politician, as an artist, I wouldn't respect the media either.

[Podcast Host 1]

Everything now is just about like, shorter and clips to like, people just want, like.

[Sage Steele]

Yeah. And like, I'll be honest, I struggled with that, like starting my show. I struggled because, like, I get it. I know it's clips and clicks and all that, but I feel like conversations don't happen. And that's why, like, my show is super long form and probably too long at times. I don't know. You guys can give me advice because I'm still newer to this space. Like, I'm really learning. But I'm convinced. Convinced that when you have a conversation with somebody, like, you'll understand more about their reasoning. Why I would love to have a real deep sit down with, with Kevin Durant about this stuff. Because that's what I'm saying is like.

[Podcast Host 1]

Katie on the pod, he just did Bobby.

[Sage Steele]

That needs to happen. That needs to happen. Yeah, it would be amazing. But also a lot of guys are probably afraid to go really deep because then what will happen if they open up? Then they'll get crushed over here. Or if someone sits down with me because I'm considered a sellout out, right wing nut job, then. Well, he wouldn't. He might want to sit with me, but wouldn't. Because then what would his boys say? Like, it's just so sad when it's done. Yeah. Yeah. Because at the end of the day, the reason why we're in this place, in this country, sports, politics, whatever, is because of a lack of deep conversations. Do you know what I mean?

[Podcast Host 2]

I'll tell you what, there's a show on Netflix. I don't know what it's called. Starting five, maybe, but it's on KD Harden. I don't know if you've seen it, but they're in like a more comfortable, like, atmosphere.

[Sage Steele]

Players doing it themselves.

[Podcast Host 2]

Well, they're getting interviewed. There's the interviewer's not on camera. They talk about, like, why the Nets didn't work out. Katie says Hardin didn't want to be there. Like, they actually dive into stuff that you.

[Sage Steele]

Which I love. Yeah, I didn't know that.

[Podcast Host 2]

It's different and you're not. They're not like getting pressed. It's more like in a comfortable environment. It's really good.

[Sage Steele]

I love that. So. And that's why they started to create. Wasn't what Was the initial website. Like Derek Jeter was involved in it, and it was the players, I'm not sure. Tribune maybe. And the players were coming out and writing those pieces. So then they had control of what was coming out versus me. Media, which I thought was brilliant because there's a lack of trust. And I've always. And that's what I took so much pride in back in the day when I was able to be in locker rooms and talking to those guys, because they would see me in person and see that I was consistent. I wouldn't say something, then not show up in the locker room, which a lot of reporters would do. Like, you can do this, but then you don't show up. Then again, you lose respect. But like, that personal side of it is super important to me to build the trust. And then when something bad happens, we'll have a conversation about it. But I have to do my job, but I will do it fairly. You know what I mean?

[Podcast Host 2]

I think once these guys start to come out of the league, they're going to be way more open and storytelling. Like, have you seen Jeff Teague? Like, he literally tells you everything that you would never expect to hear.

[Sage Steele]

Love that.

[Podcast Host 2]

Says, hey, anytime. Just so you guys know, anytime I say anything bad about LeBron, I get a call from someone from his team saying, hey, ease up on that. Don't talk about him. And he openly says that.

[Sage Steele]

Well, but. And think about that. So that's another reason why media members and journalists don't always do their job. And networks, let's start there. Because they know that if they tick off the wrong person, then they're going to get a call from LeBron's agent and. Or whoever. By the way, let's not pick on LeBron. It goes to. Into any sport where the agent will call and not only criticize you, but you're probably not going to get access to that athlete again. And then he's going to tell his boy and his boy's going to tell his boy, and before you know it, you are out. So that's why people don't do their jobs, because of the fear of being cut out. Which means what? The viewers who don't have access like we do, the viewers don't get the real story. They don't get the good interviews because everybody's living in fear.

[Podcast Host 2]

How much do you cover the wnba?

[Sage Steele]

Well, I don't. I mean, at espn when I was there, it was part. It was a contract with them, so they covered it. I remember pushing 10 years ago, pushing to do it more because I knew these women were working their butts on, off. And one of my best friends in the world is Becky Hammond, the head coach of the las Vegas aces. 1.

[Podcast Host 2]

She's the head coach. Becky Hammond of the Aces.

[Sage Steele]

Where have you been?

[Podcast Host 2]

Oh, my God. I thought she was still at the spurs with Pop.

[Sage Steele]

Oh, my God, they've won.

[Podcast Host 2]

I didn't even know that.

[Sage Steele]

Three of the last four championships.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah, she's. She's great. I just remember her with Pop.

[Sage Steele]

It's been like four years.

[Podcast Host 2]

Okay.

[Sage Steele]

And she's winning all these championships.

[Podcast Host 1]

Is that the biggest the WNBA has been in like a long time? Like the last year or two?

[Sage Steele]

I don't know. I don't know because back at the beginning with like Lisa Leslie, some of those greats, it was, it was big. Yeah, it's huge now. And I'm biased because of her, but I also, you know, there's a lot of back and forth and they hate the commissioner now and they're trying to kick the commissioner out. So who knows? Like, I was at game two of the, of the finals. Aces and the Mercury. And it was great. The atmosphere, by the way, if you're in Vegas for those Aces games, go. It's awesome. And Asia Wilson, one of the, I mean, I mean, all time great players, the NBA guys show up and watch her play. Watch a lot of these ladies play, you know, But I will say, like, as. For as much as it's grown and it's been 25 years of the WNBA, believe it or not, sometimes they hold themselves back and making, you know, some of the political statements again, that that's just not necessary when we're trying to like, build the league, build the brand, continue to push women, women in sports. And then these, these are the same who won't stand up and say, yeah, men don't belong in our sport. Obviously it's not an issue as much in the wnba, but like, we have a thing in soccer right now where someone's getting crushed for trying to keep it. Women, obviously, all the other sports. And Rally Gaines, who I just had in my show, who's the strongest young woman I know for speaking common sense, guys, you know, So I think sometimes these women's leagues don't help themselves by not saying the obvious.

[Podcast Host 2]

Do you have an overall, like, opinion on the whole Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, just how it's back and forth, forth. Angel Reese is portrayed as a villain. Like, people like to bring race into it.

[Sage Steele]

People always bring race into everything. Now it's. I'm so tired. Like, it's exhausting. Yeah, it's exhausting. No, I mean, I think it has done exactly what a lot of people hoped it would do, which is boost ratings.

[Podcast Host 2]

Wnba, huge. Way bigger than it would ever be.

[Podcast Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sage Steele]

Yeah. No, you're right. I guess with the, the addition of Caitlin, who I love, I don't care. I wouldn't care if she's green. Like, she's a green great player. She's a great ball handler. She's a great everything. When people complain about the attention that she's getting, you're all winning financially and attention wise because of it. So why is this a bad thing? When she was in college, there were people mad that they set, you know, television ratings records because of her. Like, why is this a bad thing? If it were, if it were Angela Reese, if it were a black player, would that be better? Like, at the end of the day, it's a win, win, win, I would think. Remember, there's also people who talk about the race aspect of it with her and also the fact that she's not gay. That annoys people because it brings them back to this all American girl that they think, you know, the white privilege, et cetera, at the end of the day, that the league is so much better off for it. I hate that she wasn't able to play. At the end of the playoffs, the Aces played Indiana, the Fever to the finals and, and it, you know, took in the entire series to get through them. And it sucks that Caitlin wasn't there. But you know what? She's so tough.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah, she is. She can handle absolute shooter.

[Sage Steele]

But I mean, mentally she can handle all of this. She can. She's got a great family, she's got a great support system. And she's like, you know what? You want to hate on me? Fine. And also counting her money and all the other ways, like, get it. Yeah, I love her and what she's done for the sport.

[Podcast Host 3]

Do you think WNBA players are underpaid?

[Sage Steele]

I think it's market value. And at the end of the day, if the NBA is still needing to help and subsidize the wnba, so be it. Fortunately, there are other ways that for them to make money. And a lot of them are like, it sucks that maybe in some ways it sucks to them that they have to go overseas. And I know Becky Hammond played in Russia, you know what I mean? These women are going across the world. The season two short, it's a really short season, so you can go do those other things. There's a Million other ways. They're making a ton. Social media marketing. Would I love for it to be more for them? Absolutely. But guess what? Market value and ratings equal dollars. We'll see. Because they're trying to get rid of the commissioner. And if there's a new cba. Absolutely. But, you know, you have to relate it to the money that you're bringing in, period. If ESPN for all those years had not been making any money, I would never have gotten my contract. Stephen A. Would not have gotten his $100 million contract if the network wasn't making money. If he wasn't. Help bring in that. Helping bring in that money. Like, I. I do think we have to pay attention to market value, not our feelings, but what dollar amount is coming in, and that's how those salaries are based.

[Podcast Host 3]

What was your reaction to, like, dildos being thrown on the WNBA court? That was a pretty crazy moment.

[Podcast Host 2]

Moment.

[Sage Steele]

I. I tried not to pay attention to the green dildos being thrown on the floor. Did you start that, Celine?

[Podcast Host 2]

You see the first green one?

[Podcast Host 3]

I just thought it was a crazy moment. That was, like, the last thing I've seen.

[Sage Steele]

Yeah. Not sure I would have done that.

[Podcast Host 1]

Zesty. When he saw that up for sure.

[Sage Steele]

No, I didn't.

[Podcast Host 2]

I stayed way away from that. I did. I didn't see it.

[Sage Steele]

Did you. Did you give yours. You gave your season tickets away, didn't you?

[Podcast Host 3]

I just seen a clip of dildos being thrown.

[Sage Steele]

No, it happened a lot, and then people were getting thrown out for it.

[Podcast Host 3]

It probably just got vi. Went viral.

[Sage Steele]

It happened. It happened.

[Podcast Host 2]

You ran on the corner and picked it up.

[Sage Steele]

I thought, huh, he has a collection at home.

[Podcast Host 1]

Who are the who? The top, like, three commissioners in sports, besides our good friend Joe Rogan, president of the ufc.

[Sage Steele]

Okay. Yeah. He's number one. And the fact that you just said that means I'm gonna, like, end the interview.

[Podcast Host 1]

That was a hilarious.

[Sage Steele]

Wow, that was clever. You just, like, slid that in.

[Podcast Host 1]

Just thought of it, honestly. That was so funny.

[Podcast Host 2]

That was a setup.

[Podcast Host 1]

No, I just thought of it right now.

[Podcast Host 2]

Oh, okay. Yeah.

[Podcast Host 1]

Well, we were talking about commissioners, so I was like, I guess.

[Sage Steele]

Yeah. I didn't even. I didn't even view Dana White as a commissioner. But you're right. He heads up the league. He's the boss.

[Podcast Host 1]

Dana's the go to best commissioner, I think, in sports.

[Sage Steele]

Again, I didn't think of him as commissioner because that's not his title, but he is CEO boss. That's a. That's a great point. And here's. Here's why I would agree with you. Dana does what is right for his sport, period. He does not care about politics. He does not care what you think. Think about what he did during COVID Yeah. What did he do with whatchamacallit? The island.

[Podcast Host 1]

Yeah. Fighter Island.

[Sage Steele]

Fight Island.

[Podcast Host 2]

Right.

[Podcast Host 1]

That's when we first met him. We went to Fight Island.

[Sage Steele]

Yeah. I'm so jealous.

[Podcast Host 1]

It was insane.

[Sage Steele]

He did what was right for his sport, and it continued. And during that time, for the people who were back at the head coach quarters, he kept paying them. They all got their salaries. Nothing ever stopped, despite the rest of the world stopping. Like, he cares not just about his sport, but about his people. He also lets you know, the Sean Stricklands of the world say whatever the heck they want to say, no matter who it offends, because that is their right. Like we have, obviously. I was friends with him long before the podcast and long before for making the mistake the Brain Fart moment. And that's what I love about him, is his, like, I don't give a crap what you think. This is what I'm doing, and this is why I think it's right. Even a couple, you know, sometime earlier this year, or maybe it was in 2024, after all the Bud Light chaos, and then he thought about and he's like, wait a minute. People can make mistakes. Companies can make mistakes. They got rid of the idiot girl who made the decision to bring in the trans whatever, promote Bud Light. That's just, again, another brain fart. Probably not marketing to your core group of Bud Light drinkers by doing that. It's fine. But he was like, okay, fine, they got punished. They're still paying for it. But it's an all American company that he'd done a lot of business with, and overall has a pretty good track record. So I'm gonna give you a second chance and bring you on as a sponsor again. Like, who does that? Most people go, yeah, sorry, guys. I know we've been friends for the 20 years. You've done a lot of great work, but I'll get crushed if I do that. So sorry. No, he is like, I'm gonna do it. So. I have so much respect for people like that because actually, I don't know another commissioner or head of any sport that would do that. Dana does it, so. And I just. I just love how he runs things. He knows how to run a business, and he's fearless. Now, is it easy to be fearless when you're that successful and making that much money? Yeah. But Kind of.

[Podcast Host 1]

But kind of not too. Because I'm sure even during COVID it's not like, I'm sure he was getting pressure from advertisers too. People saying like, yo, you can't do this. I think he just has the balls where he's like, yo, you. If, like, if you don't want to be a part of this, then you're out. I'm doing what's. And look how well it worked out. Like, oh, my gosh, blew up.

[Sage Steele]

Totally blowing up. And then he creates power slap. Like, the amount of things that he does. And he's like, I'm just gonna go, I'm just gonna go, go try it. And if it doesn't work, fine. That's business. And when you. And when you do your homework on who he is and where he came from and being a bell man at a hotel in Boston, like, he did this himself. That's what I love about, like, that's America, isn't it? When you're just some kid from nothing in any major city or small Podunk town and you have this dream and you go for it, you get told no a hundred thousand times, and then along the way, people say yes to you. Donald Trump, you know, he was there for Donald. Donald's been there for him. So that loyalty, that friendship is real because they've been there throughout for each other. So he gets criticized, remember, for the, for the rnc, when it was. When was that? So it was, I guess, summer. Yeah, it was like August whenever that was of 2024, leading up to the election. And he was on vacation with his family in Italy.

[Podcast Host 1]

He flew in on a yacht, remember?

[Sage Steele]

Actually, that was super smart, social media wise. Right?

[Podcast Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sage Steele]

So he had all the drones and the cameras when the helicopter landed on his yacht in the middle of whatever sea that is in Italy. Yeah, Amalfi. And then he gets on the chopper, flies away, brings him to land private jet to Wisconsin, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to give a speech, get right back on the jet across the world, goes back to Italy, goes back, back to his family vacation. It was like 24 hours in and out. I mean, that to me was such a badass moment. But besides the fact that he's able to do it financially, who cares? That's about loyalty. And that's about when your friend who happens to be running for president, calls and says, I need you. You're the only person I would want to introduce me. How cool is that? But that's because of loyalty. Even in tough times, when everybody else calls, you Dana White, a racist for supporting Donald Trump. Like, I love people who say, no, no, no, you can't bully me, you can't intimidate me. And it's going to cost. It is in some ways. And he does it anyway. That's the kind of person I want to work for and I want to be associated with.

[Podcast Host 1]

How about besides him, who do you think is another strong commissioner or who needs some. Some work?

[Sage Steele]

I mean, I always wanted to like Roger Goodell. I've always wanted to like him. And at the end of the day, I don't understand enough to be able to say bad, good. Because there's so much more that goes into these than just the decision decisions that we see. What I do see is how well that league is doing.

[Podcast Host 1]

And it fells on fire, right?

[Sage Steele]

It always is. Every year you think it's like peaked and it gets bigger. Even if your stars, even if you have the Chiefs, who are, what, 5 and 4? Like, they're not the Chiefs of, you know, past years. But it doesn't matter. Like, everybody's winning when you've got these guys. I love seeing Aiden Hutchinson get a huge contract recently, you know what I mean? But when you see these guys getting, I mean, Mahomes, when I was still on SportsCenter, he got a half a billion dollar deal. So you can say what you want about Roger Goodell, but everybody's winning.

[Podcast Host 2]

I feel like every sport right now has like the biggest talents you've ever seen. With Ohtani, Wemby's insane.

[Sage Steele]

Yep.

[Podcast Host 2]

The NFL just has too many of them. Lamar Jackson, Mahomes. Like, it's just getting to a point where we've never seen it. Like, Wembley's one of a generation and so is Otani.

[Sage Steele]

He's supposed to be a really good kid too. That makes me excited. Was still at ESPN when they were. When they drafted him. And that's the best organization to go to, you know, I mean, Pop obviously isn't Pop anymore. He's not there. Health issues, like, we should really keep him in our prayers. But the way the organization's been run, that's a great place to go. Smaller market, you know, it's not New York City. And I love that he's there and he's. I mean, you cannot create that physically.

[Podcast Host 3]

It's freakish.

[Podcast Host 1]

Like, it's insane watching him play.

[Podcast Host 3]

It's crazy.

[Sage Steele]

It's insane.

[Podcast Host 2]

I think he's probably to be the best player ever or he's a chance to be.

[Sage Steele]

I mean, my fear is his health, obviously, and when you're that big, I mean, that's not normal.

[Podcast Host 2]

That guy can pull up from like almost half court, hit a three is just ridiculous.

[Sage Steele]

Yeah, it's, it's crazy. But by the way, if that's my kid and he's 18 getting drafted, like you're living with mom, I'm coming to live with you. I'm going to take care of you. I'm going to do your meals, I'm going to make sure no girls come in here. Like I would be so protective of, of that kid. And by the way, living in South Florida, right? I mean, hi, Florida Panthers. Sorry. Canadian hockey teams. Like, tell me how South Florida Stanley Cup. The Panthers are here too.

[Podcast Host 1]

Like, I don't think people care as much about hockey.

[Sage Steele]

Right. Well, it's funny, then all of a sudden they do, right? You, you have your die hards.

[Podcast Host 1]

I have like media people. Yeah, no, I'm from Toronto. Like they can't talk about, they can't say because it's such a big market.

[Sage Steele]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 1]

I don't think there's much, much like media here in for Florida Panthers.

[Sage Steele]

Right. Well, in general, NHL, like they're ripping.

[Podcast Host 1]

Golf carts to the game with like flip flops and like they're going to the ball like they're doing well.

[Sage Steele]

Does that hurt you? No.

[Podcast Host 1]

I mean, I like the Panthers. They're fun. I go to Panthers games sometimes too. Like the Tachuk.

[Sage Steele]

Tachuk.

[Podcast Host 1]

He's nasty.

[Sage Steele]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah.

[Sage Steele]

My first team that I ever covered NHL was the Tampa Bay Lightning.

[Podcast Host 1]

When they're on fire.

[Podcast Host 2]

Right.

[Sage Steele]

Three years when they drafted Vinny Le Caviar. So like this is like late 90s.

[Podcast Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sage Steele]

And, and I'd never covered hockey. I was super intimidated just because I'd never done it. And so I went in there and introduced myself to the coach, Jacques Demer, and the goalie was Darren Pooba and like Kevin Weeks ended up coming in and it was such a big thing to have a black player in the NHL like in the year 2000. It was crazy. And it's funny, I feel like you'd appreciate this. I went in there and instead of like I was studying up, I was reading as much as I could. But like, unless you really follow hockey for a long time, you can't appreciate it. So I just went in and I was like, like, I've never done this, but I really want to learn. Can you guys. And those guys took me under their wing. The coaches, they love that I was honest about it and then was trying and to learn their sport. Hockey Players are by far the best athletes to work with from a media perspective. The best. Super humble, just chill and you know, people like, well, the money in the NFL. Yeah, those guys are making a ton of dough. And the NHL as well, they're just quieter about it. They're not as flashy. And ever since then, in, like, 1998 with the Lightning, I've been in love with that sport in that league because of how they are as people. Nothing's worse than a NHL locker room, though. Like, oh, yeah, you can't breathe because the stink that gets in the pads, like, you want to vomit when you walk in an angel lock around, otherwise.

[Podcast Host 1]

You kind of like.

[Sage Steele]

The smell, though, was that.

[Podcast Host 1]

I kind of, like, missed that smell, like, growing up playing hockey. Honestly. Like, you kind of like. I know it's weird, but you weren't.

[Sage Steele]

No, I get it.

[Podcast Host 2]

Sweaty ones, were you?

[Podcast Host 1]

I mean, I was a house.

[Podcast Host 2]

You didn't even need to shower after that beauty.

[Sage Steele]

But, yeah, I love those guys. I covered the NHL All Star Game, I guess, in 98 or 99. And like, Tamu Salani and like, those guys were so. I, I. When I got to. I got to say hi to Wayne Gretzky when. Once. Once. And, you know, I'm like, professional. Trying to be all professional, but I was, like, totally freaked out.

[Podcast Host 2]

What's been your favorite story you've ever covered or just scandal?

[Sage Steele]

I mean, there were so many scandals, I guess, but more. It was more like before espn, to be honest with you. Yeah. When I was a beat reporter for the Baltimore Ravens.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah.

[Sage Steele]

So right after their Super bowl in 01, I was covering that team. So that was like, Shannon Sharp, Tony Saragusa. You guys remember Goose? He died a couple years ago. He was the best. Ray Lewis was obviously there. Rod Woodson's a Hall of Famer. Like, defensive back Ed Reed came in, like, 0203. But, like, to be able to be on the road with those guys, training camp all the way through, because I was on the plane as well, just because I did a magazine show. So, like, being ingrained in one team and be able to put all your energy and efforts into one team was really cool because it's not just the highlights on Sunday. Like, there's so much more to it. And then they were. They're historically probably, I'd say top three ranked as far as best drafting franchises they know how to draft because Ozzie Newsom, hall of Fame tight end, is at the top of it. And so, like, when you see how it's all how it all happens behind the scenes. You're like, okay, this is not just a team, the organization. So I just, I love that time of being able be bts before BTS was a thing with all the players, all the coaches, the equipment guys and the team to see how it. It worked. And by the way, that was back when I was like, having kids. So I was like on the road, beat reporter and then hosting in studio every four or five nights a week. And pregnant, like, and having kids. So that was like my favorite time because I was still like, living my dream as a sportscaster, trying to get ESPN and you're part of the team, but then having. Having kids and then the players were like, protective of me, you know, on the field, pregnant and everything, like, it was just a. Yeah, it's just a cool time, you know, I think Ray.

[Podcast Host 2]

Lewis is the scariest guy.

[Podcast Host 3]

When did you want it to. When did you know you wanted to get into journalism? Like, how'd you start?

[Sage Steele]

I was 11 when I told my mom that I wanted to be a sportscaster. So I was like, little girl. And my dad was a. He played college football and so at army at West Point. And so I just wanted to, like, hang out with my dad and so on weekends, watching football, watching basketball. That's how I got to do it, you know, when he wasn't at our sporting events, I was with him watching. And I just knew this might sound cheesy to you, but this is legit. Like, I. I knew that the best way to be involved in sports, since I couldn't play, was to talk about it. But I'm an army kid. Dad was like, I said West Point, like, lived all over the world. And everything was super structured, military, and watching all those games in different countries. When we lived, we lived in Greece, we lived in Belgium. The national anthem played every time. Everybody stood up. No matter where you were in the world, it was like unifying to watch NFL games. And what I saw as a kid was that sports brought people together. So on a football Sunday, it doesn't matter. Your race, your politics, your religion, your socioeconomic status. You're at the Dolphins game, game. They suck this year. But you're at any game. And what's happening for those three hours, you're like high fiving strangers and like you're all on the same team. And I felt that as a kid. And I was like, this is so cool to be in an environment where everybody's like, high fiving and happy and cheering or booing, whatever it is. Like I wanted to be in that. That's literally where it, where it started. And then it was like, okay, I was super shy. I was like weirdo shy.

[Podcast Host 2]

It is kind of funny how you can be at a football game game drinking beers, and then the guy next to you've never met becomes your best friend for really especially drinking beers.

[Podcast Host 1]

You have to. Yeah, like it's part of it.

[Podcast Host 2]

Same action.

[Podcast Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sage Steele]

It's actually the only place I will have a beer. Is that a football game?

[Podcast Host 1]

It's crazy.

[Sage Steele]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

Have you never seen the clip of the guy at the Eagles, guy that got caught?

[Sage Steele]

No.

[Podcast Host 2]

You've never seen it? Look it up after this.

[Sage Steele]

Please send it to me.

[Podcast Host 2]

No, I can't find that clip anywhere. This guy was rooting for the Eagles and he just had a bag of cocaine in his hand on camera.

[Sage Steele]

Yeah, no, I'm good.

[Podcast Host 2]

No, I'm not saying I'm not, I'm not promoting that. I'm just saying it's crazy what you said.

[Sage Steele]

No, I didn't see it, but it's Philly, so it's typical. I mean, we're not surprised. It's Philadelphia, Right.

[Podcast Host 1]

It's probably a lot of cocaine at football games, right? Probably.

[Podcast Host 2]

You're, you're, you. You know your stuff really well. So I want to know your top three NFL players, top three NBA players. In your opinion.

[Sage Steele]

Okay. Favorites or like, it isn't even a favorite thing as far as like, total respect for Tom Brady.

[Podcast Host 2]

Brady, obviously.

[Sage Steele]

I know, but like, I didn't want to do, you know what turned me? What's that against the Falcons? That Super Bowl.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah, of course. I mean, the greatest performance.

[Sage Steele]

Yeah. Like, and I always respect him. It's not that I didn't like him. I just never been around him and it's like everything was so perfect. Life was open. I'm like, oh, but yeah, I mean, he's obviously the goat. And anyone who argues with that is stupid. I grew up, up in love with John Elway.

[Podcast Host 2]

I'm from Denver.

[Sage Steele]

I know, I know.

[Podcast Host 2]

He was a God there. It was actually crazy. He was the man. He ran the whole state, like.

[Sage Steele]

I know.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah.

[Sage Steele]

So I moved there in 1984. What year was he drafted?

[Podcast Host 2]

97.

[Sage Steele]

83.

[Podcast Host 1]

83.

[Sage Steele]

San Marino.

[Podcast Host 2]

Damn.

[Podcast Host 1]

Okay.

[Sage Steele]

Jim Kelly.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Sage Steele]

So like that class of 83 was like arguably, I think the all time greatest quarterback class drafted ever. And. And so I moved there in 84 and I was like, I'm not from Colorado, but I moved there and I was like, what is this, like orange Crush Sunday. Like, I memorized all the jerseys and names of, like, the offensive line. Carl Mecklenburg was number 77. Roland Jones, 75, is the center. Like, I was obsessed. And so what I saw was Elway like, taking over a whole state so I would wear, like, I would wear his jersey to church on Sundays. I dressed up as Mrs. Elway for Halloween every year because I, like, weird. Obsessed with him. I. I wrote him a letter once. Yeah. I don't know if he got it. Probably, like, probably not, right? Probably not. But I was like. I mean, I was like, in high school.

[Podcast Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sage Steele]

And I was like, hi, if you. If you ever need a babysitter. Like, I'm a really good babysitter and I won't charge. Like, this is how weird I was. But no, I. And you understand.

[Podcast Host 2]

Colorado was like, he still is like, the man there. It's crazy.

[Sage Steele]

He hasn't aged very well.

[Podcast Host 2]

No, but he is. Yeah. I mean, I don't want to throw shade at him because he's like the goat there. But.

[Sage Steele]

But be honest.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah.

[Sage Steele]

I mean, he's had his issues. Okay. So that's just my personal favorite.

[Podcast Host 2]

He's been a frat boy for his whole life, so.

[Sage Steele]

Yeah. Even at Stanford. Yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure. I mean, people forget that he was drafted by. Wasn't the Yankees.

[Podcast Host 2]

I don't know, the baseball.

[Sage Steele]

He was drafted first round of Major League Baseball.

[Podcast Host 2]

Didn't he get drafted to the Colts and his dad wouldn't let him play for them.

[Sage Steele]

Correct.

[Podcast Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sage Steele]

So then I moved to the Colts or to the Indiana after Colorado. And of course, my John Elway love was not received while there because they're like, yeah. I mean, that changes your franchise forever if you have John Elway look. Right. Eventually we got our Super Bowls, didn't we?

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah.

[Sage Steele]

It took a minute.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah.

[Sage Steele]

So Elway. And then I'd say, oh, my. All time favorite player. All time. All time. All time. Walter Peyton, sweetness. Like, the most incredible humble athlete probably the NFL has ever seen. My dad, when we would watch him play for the Bears, he would be like, watch that. Watch him. He scored a touchdown and he had trot off the field. And he'd hand the ball to the official to someone that sidelines and walk off. And he'd be like, see, kids, act like you've been there. That's how you want to be in life. You don't have to showboat. And like. And again, that was before everything was about viral and everything. But he. I was taught from my military dad, like, that's how you handle things with class and grace, and it's like, yeah, that's my job. I score touchdowns. So, like, I was in. I love him as a person. I got to meet Jarrett Payton, who worked at ESPN for a while.

[Podcast Host 2]

And you didn't like the Deion Sanders celebrations?

[Sage Steele]

I thought they were fun. It's not my style. And I covered Dion. His last year in the NFL was with the Ravens, who I covered in 2005. Yeah. Like, I still. I haven't talked to him in a while, but we will still keep in touch. I loved it. I mean, prime was one of one.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah.

[Sage Steele]

You know, and he changed the sport in so many ways and went and played baseball. Right. I mean, these two sport athletes on that professional level is. Is really crazy. It's just not my style. Sweetness. Like he was. But again, it's a different era. And who's like that now? Who's super humble? I mean, certainly not any receivers that's not.

[Podcast Host 2]

That runs the ball like that.

[Sage Steele]

Right. I mean, they're divas.

[Podcast Host 2]

No, I mean, Saquon's kind of like that.

[Sage Steele]

I love Saquon Barkley.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah.

[Sage Steele]

Like, he's one of my favorites of like today's generation.

[Podcast Host 2]

Team guy.

[Sage Steele]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

And he's the man, so.

[Sage Steele]

Yeah. And celebrations are fine. But you asked me my favorite back then of all time, Walter Payton. I liked to Tony Dorsett too, but it's like a whole. I mean, who didn't love O.J. simpson? To be honest with you, you, like, take away the crazy after football, but during football, you know, unfortunately, you have to separate a lot now. Like, you have the athlete and you have the human being. And I'm like, if I could just focus on the athlete. Like, love you, love you, love you.

[Podcast Host 2]

Do you have any interactions with him when he played for the Bills?

[Sage Steele]

No, I never met him. That was. I'm not that old.

[Podcast Host 1]

All right, poj. We had him on the podcast once.

[Sage Steele]

I didn't see that.

[Podcast Host 1]

Yeah, we had him on.

[Sage Steele]

What year was it that.

[Podcast Host 1]

When was that?

[Podcast Host 2]

I think years ago.

[Sage Steele]

When did he die?

[Podcast Host 2]

Two or three years ago.

[Podcast Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sage Steele]

When did he die? Like a year ago. Yeah. Yeah. How was he?

[Podcast Host 2]

He's charming and he fooled us.

[Podcast Host 1]

He's very charming.

[Sage Steele]

Did you go deep about, you know, the murder?

[Podcast Host 1]

They told us that we couldn't ask that question, but, like, we had to. We had to.

[Sage Steele]

How do you handle it?

[Podcast Host 1]

Again, I'm be honest. He was so charming. Like, we met him. We're like, this guy's. He's so charming.

[Sage Steele]

Like, there's no Way. There's no way he did it. Is that what you're thinking?

[Podcast Host 1]

Well, it's, like, kind of hard to believe that you're, like, with a murder. Murderer, Right? In a way. Especially when he's, like, so nice and stuff, and we're just talking about his career. And then the whole time, like, I knew I had to ask the question, so I was just like. I had to get, like, six happy dads in me to, like, ask him. So I kept, like, just trying to get a little more hammered. And then eventually we were just like. So, like, do you think the killer is, like, still out there?

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah, he did. It was.

[Podcast Host 1]

And then he said it's still, like. He basically said that he didn't want to talk about it.

[Sage Steele]

Right?

[Podcast Host 2]

He said, I don't want to talk about that.

[Sage Steele]

But he didn't say, yeah, I still out there. Out there.

[Podcast Host 1]

I think he said, he's still out there. Or like, something like that.

[Sage Steele]

Yeah, he's sitting right in front of you.

[Podcast Host 1]

Sitting right in front of me.

[Podcast Host 2]

Imagine you got him to just say it.

[Podcast Host 1]

Well, we were also at, like, a. A restaurant, and there was, like, cutlery on the table, and, like, there was a knife that I saw thinking about.

[Sage Steele]

The butter knife right in front of you.

[Podcast Host 1]

Like a fork.

[Podcast Host 2]

I don't know. And he was sitting right next to him.

[Podcast Host 3]

Yeah, I was right.

[Podcast Host 1]

And the table was like. It wasn't like this. It was like, the smallest booth table of all time time. Like, it couldn't have been a worst setup for O.J. simpson.

[Sage Steele]

I mean. Yeah, it's easy. I mean, once the cameras are off.

[Podcast Host 1]

We got the hell out of there. Yeah.

[Sage Steele]

Was he. Was he big still?

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah.

[Sage Steele]

I mean, I know he's older guy.

[Podcast Host 1]

Yeah, he was a big guy.

[Podcast Host 2]

We pulled up in a Bronco, too.

[Sage Steele]

Shut up. Yeah, we did shut up on purpose.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah.

[Sage Steele]

No, you didn't. That's amazing.

[Podcast Host 1]

We're gonna film it, but I don't think he wanted to be a part of it.

[Sage Steele]

Was it white?

[Podcast Host 2]

No, we couldn't get one. It was last minute.

[Sage Steele]

That would have been too obvious. He would have been like, oh, we.

[Podcast Host 1]

Put it in the video. I think.

[Sage Steele]

Yeah, that's amazing. No, but, like, he was awesome to watch. And then when you look back at all those old commercials, like, he. Everyone in this. Everyone in America loved him. He's handsome. He had the smile. He's hurtling over chairs in the airport like he was O.J. it's so sad. I know. NBA Michael. Steph Curry.

[Podcast Host 1]

Steph Curry's sick.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah.

[Sage Steele]

I love Him.

[Podcast Host 2]

I love Steph.

[Sage Steele]

I love him. And, like, that guy's a winner.

[Podcast Host 3]

Like, stuff. Like, stuff.

[Sage Steele]

Totally. Right? And that's what we're talking about earlier. Like, you talk about loyal and wanting to.

[Podcast Host 3]

Like, I want to play with that guy. Like, if I was in the NBA.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 3]

Like, I would love to play with stuff.

[Podcast Host 1]

Curry stuff.

[Sage Steele]

No comment.

[Podcast Host 3]

That shit's wild. You can't lie. The thing she said.

[Sage Steele]

One of my daughters sent me one of the clips, and she's like, mom, I'm so disappointed. Why? And I. I'm like, I. I don't know. Sometimes you like to think things are taken out of context. I don't know. I didn't watch the whole thing. I don't watch that show, that podcast. I know she's crushing it, but I don't know. She's always been, like, super cool with me. The kids, I've seen them from a distance, really, growing up. You know what I mean? I don't know. I do know that, like, you know, no matter what the public sees and how perfect life looks for couples, you can be billionaires. And, I mean, she's beautiful, and he's beautiful, and the kids are beautiful, and life's beautiful, and your rings and everybody's got something.

[Podcast Host 1]

It's almost like the more people flex it, too. I find, like, the more people flex it on social media, it's like they're trying. Not Steph, but just other relationships, too. It's like, the more they're trying to prove it to everybody.

[Sage Steele]

Yeah. Like, what's that? Yeah, I agree. But everybody has in. In a marriage, right? Everybody has. I got married. Married two months ago, you guys.

[Podcast Host 1]

Oh, wow.

[Podcast Host 2]

Congrats.

[Sage Steele]

Yes.

[Podcast Host 2]

Congratulations.

[Sage Steele]

Thanks. Obviously, round two for both of us. But, like, I could not be in a better relationship marriage. Like, I'm so grateful to him, to God, to, like, life, to. For the journey that it took to get here. I'm. I'm almost 53. He's almost 50. Like, it's been a long. You know, And I literally wouldn't change anything. It doesn't mean there's not still stuff off. Right? But, like, everybody's got something. My parents just celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary. 54 years. And by the way, super hard. Mom's white, dad's black. They got married 1971, right after interracial marriage became legal. They saw some stuff. They went through some stuff. Like, it was not easy. And to me, they're perfect. Perfectly, imperfectly, they've got stuff. Even though they are obviously after 54 years, true soulmates. So I feel like I try not to judge that part of part because I've been judged for stuff less important than. Than a marriage, you know what I mean? But I love what they've done. Those babies are perfect. Like, most importantly, Stephen Curry, to me, has handled everything.

[Podcast Host 3]

Like, what he thinks about that situation.

[Sage Steele]

Don't you wonder with. When. When people go public like that, with kind of personal stuff, I'm like, well, number one, why. Number two, what is that conversation? Like later when you're like, really? Like, why'd. Why'd you say that? For the world to see. So I'd love to be a fly on the wall and hear what happens when, you know, again, we've seen it many people besides the curries, but, like, wouldn't you want to be a fly on the wall and listen to that conversation or not? Maybe I'd want to get the heck out. But, you know, it's easy for us to judge from here. And I don't know. I. I know that I would not say something like that about someone that I love, but teach his own.

[Podcast Host 3]

Has there ever been an athlete that you've interviewed that you were, like, absolutely starstruck by?

[Sage Steele]

Well, first of all, I would get nervous a lot. Even people that I knew, I was nervous more times than I wasn't. But I channeled it. Like, I figured out how to channel it to make me, like, like, work through it. And it's. I used it, like, as adrenaline and crunch time, because whether you're ready or not, if you have Stephen Curry, who I interviewed several times, one on one, sitting right there, there, like the 10:30 start, he walks in right at 10:29, like, ready or not, he's sitting down. You better go. Like, that's pressure. And if you suck, you're not going to get another chance ever again. So I was always a little nervous. I. For me, it was healthy. I just had to learn how to handle it and not, like, not eat. Leading up to when I was younger, when I was older, especially on Sports center, whereas I was doing two live hours every single day. Like, you got to go and you have new people and superstars in every day. Or just your. Your buddy Adam Schefter, who's one of my favorite humans. And, like, I was always really nervous. I mean, talking. You know what? One thing I did for Michael Jordan once, I hosted his charity event when he was still with the Charlotte Hornets, and I was super nervous for that because it's his team, it's part of the ownership And I'm emceeing this big charity event for the franchise. And he was sitting at the table, front row center, right there. Like, you know, the inner. Or did he come out on stage? I wanted to vomit because, I mean, he was my favorite athlete back in the day. We'd all watched him play dominate the way he did. And then to be asked to do that, I remember being that. That's pressure. Because, like, they were trusting me. If I screw that up again, you never get asked again. So, like, all of them are high pressure situations. You just have to learn to do it. And if you don't, no big deal. You want to have a job, but, like, it's that simple. Like, you have to have to push through it.

[Podcast Host 2]

If you were going to start a NBA franchise tomorrow, would you rather have SGA or Nikola Jokic?

[Sage Steele]

How old are they now?

[Podcast Host 2]

SGA is 527. I think Joker is probably 30, 31, maybe.

[Sage Steele]

I think I still go with Joker. Thank you. I just love his demeanor of. He doesn't even like anything associated with basketball. Halftime, he doesn't even like basketball. Basketball. Right. But he's just all business, and then he goes home to his, like, what is it, horse farm or cattle farm?

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah, yeah.

[Sage Steele]

Where he's from, like, you can't. You can't produce big men like that with that skill set.

[Podcast Host 2]

Right.

[Sage Steele]

You can't. I love sga, though. But it would be Joker. Okay, cool. So otherwise he's like, okay, you're out. Like, did you see him? He was like, okay, good. Or else I just.

[Podcast Host 2]

The mvp.

[Podcast Host 1]

Like.

[Sage Steele]

Like, people hated it. People hated that Joker was winning.

[Podcast Host 2]

I'm gonna say that he did get robbed one year by bead.

[Sage Steele]

I agree.

[Podcast Host 2]

And that wasn't talked about enough.

[Sage Steele]

I agree. I think we know what that was. Yeah, I agree.

[Podcast Host 2]

So, yeah.

[Podcast Host 3]

Who do you. Who do you think wins MVP this year?

[Sage Steele]

I know it's early on the season.

[Podcast Host 1]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 3]

But if you were to give a prediction.

[Sage Steele]

I don't know.

[Podcast Host 3]

There's like a couple guys, right? Sga, Joker, Wemby could possibly win it. But even though it's early in the.

[Sage Steele]

Season, if he stays healthy. Yeah. I don't know. I will say, look out for my Pacers. Look out for Rick Carlisle and what he does with that team who were super close. I know people are like, oh, my God. Indiana, Oklahoma City Finals. Like, this is the worst thing ever. It's good. I'm biased because that was my first team that I covered. Reggie Miller, like, those days. The problem with us that time Is that our timing, which was what? Pacers in the East, Michael, Bulls, like, couldn't do anything about that. We had no chance to ever win because Michael was there. So I think this is Indiana's time. I think it could easily be a rematch in the finals. I don't know how many people would like that, but I think it could. These small market teams, like, every once in a while. It's kind of cool, isn't it?

[Podcast Host 2]

Oh, yeah.

[Sage Steele]

Like, it's kind of cool to see them. And that's all that there is. Like in Indiana. I went to Indiana University. Like, it is basketball, though. Now we're a football school. Thank you. Number two in the country. But I think it's awesome for the sport where it's not just the Knicks, the Lakers. You know what I mean? I mean, it's Knicks. Hi. That's. That's a whole different story and issue.

[Podcast Host 2]

Well, everyone wanted the Celtics too, so.

[Sage Steele]

And Jason Tatum is one of my favorite players. I love him. It's an interesting situation in Boston. I feel like every year there's a million questions going in.

[Podcast Host 2]

There's got to be something behind the scenes between just him and Jaylen Brown.

[Sage Steele]

Like, yeah, it seems like it's been kind of like for a lot of years now. I love Jason. One time before I left espn, I think it might still be online with, with ESPN or Disney plus, whatever. But I, I, it was called Up Close Up Close with Sage Deal and it was Up Close with Rory Firestone back in the day for anybody who might remember. But I went to St. Louis and spent the day with Jason and we went back to like his childhood home that's as big as this couch and like with his mom and he talked, he went deep about like his dad and some really difficult things. Is very emotional. So again, when you sit down and have conversations with people and like get to know more than just the superstar part, you see their why and I love that with him. I totally forgot about your question, though. I don't know. Maybe it is sga. Like, I don't know. I don't know. I feel like at Christmas when you get to Christmas Day NBA games where there's five of them, right? I mean, five. They're like the big ones on ABC SP and tnt. That's when you put your MVP bet in. I know like all the gambling sites you do it now, but for me then you have enough of a sample size and that's when people start paying attention anyway to the NBA. You get. Got to get to the beginning of the calendar year, once football is in the playoffs and winding down, you know, that's the problem. Like, football dominates everything. It's not a problem. It's a good thing. But it dominates everything, Every conversation. You know what I mean? Year round, there's, like, no time off from football. So the NBA comes in second a little bit, and then the NHL, of course, is always, like, way down, third place. And the. But the problem with the playoffs are at the same time. Time, like, it's so hard. How would you change that? Because I want hockey to get more love. But when you're competing with the NBA at the exact same time, Stanley Cup, NBA Finals games, you know.

[Podcast Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sage Steele]

Who's your guy?

[Podcast Host 3]

I've always loved Kyrie. I've always loved Kyrie Irving. Man, such a great ball handler.

[Sage Steele]

He.

[Podcast Host 2]

He's just.

[Podcast Host 3]

He's great at scoring, his finesse. I love Kyrie.

[Sage Steele]

How old is kyrie now?

[Podcast Host 1]

Like, 34.

[Podcast Host 2]

30.

[Podcast Host 3]

32.

[Sage Steele]

Older than that, I think.

[Podcast Host 3]

Yeah, he's. He's a bit older. Yeah, 34.

[Sage Steele]

Think about that. I was there for that 2016 Finals that they won thanks to Kyrie. Not LeBron. Thanks to Kyrie, of course. LeBron Le Block, too. Kyrie hit that.

[Podcast Host 1]

Yeah, that was.

[Sage Steele]

That was. Kyrie won that series. And can we give Kyrie some love now? Oh, yeah. After, like, getting crushed during COVID and people murdered him for walking away from his $34 million a year salary because he didn't want to get the same shot. The things everybody said about him. I know Stephen A. Came out recently, and it's like, yeah, Kyrie was right. Nobody's apologizing to him. Like, nobody. The world crushed him, and he was right.

[Podcast Host 1]

And he never got it.

[Sage Steele]

He never got it. He walked away from that season. Like, I give him so much credit for that. That is super hard. And I remember being on air and everybody's just like, you don't care and it's selfish in your teammates. Like, it's bigger than that. I guarantee you that all these other athletes that say they got it did not. There's no way. Like, I remember at the beginning, LeBron said, I spend a million dollars a year on my body. Like, outside of work and all the training and the nutrition and all that stuff, you're not just gonna put some experimental shot in your body when you're them. And then, remember, he said it, and then they. They silenced him. Then all of a sudden, it was just quiet. There is no way in hell.

[Podcast Host 1]

No way.

[Sage Steele]

These guys got it. They got some. It Was water that they did so they could say, yeah, we gave.

[Podcast Host 1]

I got a fake vax card for a thousand dollars. That was the best. A thousand dollars?

[Sage Steele]

You did? Yeah. Good for you.

[Podcast Host 1]

I mean, it's gone now, but it's. It was the best. A thousand.

[Sage Steele]

You never got it?

[Podcast Host 3]

No, I got it either. Yeah.

[Podcast Host 1]

I just didn't see the need to get it.

[Sage Steele]

Totally. Did you get a Steiny?

[Podcast Host 2]

My parents pressured me or you did, right?

[Podcast Host 3]

Yeah, you did.

[Sage Steele]

I get it. No, I. That's my whole thing. I got it because I had to, because I had been public enough about the fact I didn't want to, that I was looking into a fake. And I was like, if I get, like, they're gonna come triple check me because I've mouthed off about it.

[Podcast Host 1]

It was tougher for you.

[Sage Steele]

And then if I get caught, thought my life is over. Yeah. Like four years ago, when this is happening, when I was getting forced to do it. So I still, I still am like, mad. I've had to like, forgive myself for doing it at that time, but I had to, I had to keep my job. Yeah, millions of people did. Like, I'm one of millions, so there's no sympathy here. I'm just saying. But like, for Kyrie, for him to take that stand.

[Podcast Host 1]

Publicly.

[Sage Steele]

Yeah, publicly. And every single person was. Was killing him. And is he unique and different and they say the earth is flat. Like, all fine, fine. But like, at the end of the day, Kyrie is true to himself. How many other guys are Michael Porter Jr. That's interesting.

[Podcast Host 2]

He's true himself. He is a different way.

[Sage Steele]

Yeah, I guess he is. And so is his brother.

[Podcast Host 1]

But that's one of our other guys too. Mpj.

[Sage Steele]

I met him when he was in high school at Steph Curry's camp. I always loved him. His name, dad.

[Podcast Host 2]

He talks very openly.

[Sage Steele]

He does. I. I respect it. Like, it is rare. How about Aaron Rodgers? Yeah, same thing. He got killed. Aaron and I were getting canceled at the same time. So I remember I was like a month into my cancellation for the COVID thing and then his happened. I texted him right away and I was like, dude, stay strong. And so we became, you know, closer friends after that because of this whole thing. And he was like the number of people, people, star, star, top name, athletes in my sport, in the NFL who are calling him, who are like, yeah, dude, you're right. I'm with you. I'm with you. But then what would they do? They get in front of a microphone in the podium for their press conferences. And say the opposite. So you can think Aaron and Kyrie and everybody is weird or whatever it is. But guess what? Those guys, they had the balls to say the truth. Truth. And in the toughest possible time. And now everybody's just quiet because they were right. I wish I. I had had the strength that you two did.

[Podcast Host 2]

All right, well, thank you so much.

[Podcast Host 1]

No, this was great. You're very cool. You're cool as.

[Sage Steele]

No, thank you, guys. I would love to come down your way, though.

[Podcast Host 1]

Yeah, we should do some more stuff together.

[Sage Steele]

I. I would love it. And I'll take. Like I told you, I'm super new to this whole some advice world, and.

[Podcast Host 1]

It needs to be a sports show on YouTube. YouTube. But something that's more like, quick because you're doing, like long form pods.

[Sage Steele]

Right?

[Podcast Host 1]

We should set up like a sports show under full send with sage steel and have maybe two or one other person on the panel and like, just takes.

[Podcast Host 2]

Well, I'll tell you what else.

[Podcast Host 1]

Whatever you.

[Podcast Host 2]

Whatever should be a little edgier too.

[Sage Steele]

No, it has to be, because there's not enough.

[Podcast Host 1]

You're, like, so cool. You could just obviously be yourself and it'd be so easy.

[Sage Steele]

That's the best part about getting canceled. As in you don't care.

[Podcast Host 1]

You don't care.

[Sage Steele]

I'm like, go for it, guys. I have been literally called everything a. Death threats. Like, oh, yeah, yeah, it's fine. Like, go for it. And every day I'm like, huh, Isn't it weird I'm still here and like, actually now better off than when you. Because they try to scare you into silence. Right? And then you go, what? So it's cool because now I. I literally don't care. It's so nice. I'm just sad it took me so long because I'm old. Like, dang. Like, you guys are like, you have your whole life and current. Thank you, life and life 53.

[Podcast Host 1]

I would never guess that.

[Sage Steele]

Thank you.

[Podcast Host 2]

30. 33.

[Sage Steele]

Black don't crack. That's what they say. No, no, but, like, seriously, it's such a. I just wish, like, people didn't wait as long as I had, you know.

[Podcast Host 1]

To get canceled?

[Sage Steele]

Yeah. To get canceled. No, to not be afraid of, like, what happens if you're yourself, you know? And then it's like, it's just. It's easier, you know? So, like, I'm jealous of you guys in a healthy, respectful way because you guys got it before I did.

[Podcast Host 1]

Yeah. So I think we've been through a lot of the same stuff probably.

[Sage Steele]

Well, but that's the thing is people see your life now, and they're probably like, oh, no, boys. And you guys have this. You're making all this money and it' fame and. Yeah. No one gave it to you.

[Podcast Host 2]

No.

[Sage Steele]

You had to go make this and create it and earn it and learn and fall in your face and get back up. And no one talks about that. They just want to talk about your success. So I mad respect.

[Podcast Host 1]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

Same to you.

[Podcast Host 1]

Thank you so much.

[Sage Steele]

Thank you. Thank you for coming to my home.

[Podcast Host 1]

Put it in the description.

[Sage Steele]

Thank you.

[Podcast Host 1]

How often do you upload on that?

[Sage Steele]

Every Wednesday.

[Podcast Host 1]

Every Wednesday.

[Sage Steele]

It's because it's long form.

[Podcast Host 1]

I'm a tap in more.

[Sage Steele]

Will you?

[Podcast Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sage Steele]

That'd be amazing. Well, I'm coming to you guys, too. I mean, if I get you on camera saying yes, you'll come on my show, then you have to. Right? So can you? Yeah. You're real. You're recording on this? You're still rolling?

[Podcast Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sage Steele]

Let's do it. Great. So now you have no choice. Okay, let's do it.

[Podcast Host 2]

Awesome.

[Sage Steele]

That'd be awesome.

[Podcast Host 1]

Sage Deal. Thank you so much.

[Sage Steele]

Thank you for having me. Thank you. Thank you. Experience the sequel everyone's been waiting for with Sideline 2 intercepted. Join Drayton and Dallas as they navigate the challenges of college life while trying to stay true to themselves and each other. Catch all the drama and watch Sideline 2 Intercepted, starring Noah Beck and Sienna Agudong for free on Tubi this Thanksgiving.