Ex-ESPN Host Tells the Inside Story of How Sports Went Woke | Sage Steele
Apr 21, 2024
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Former ESPN host, Sage Steele, discusses her journey, being canceled for opposing vaccine mandates, ESPN's shift towards 'woke' culture, hypocrisy in social justice movements, impact of transgender athletes, challenges in addressing issues, disillusionment with corporate media, concerns about electoral process integrity, erosion of traditional values.
Sage Steele faced backlash for speaking out against vaccine mandates at ESPN, highlighting challenges of corporate culture and independent broadcasting.
Sage Steele's conservative upbringing influenced her political evolution, revealing the shift towards political activism at ESPN following Trump's election.
Sage Steele expressed concerns about transgender athletes in women's sports, emphasizing the need to balance inclusivity with fairness and competitiveness.
Deep dives
Challenges of Mainstream vs. Independent Broadcasting
Transitioning from mainstream to independent broadcasting brought challenges for Megan Kelly, as she revealed being controlled in interviews at the mainstream network and facing backlash for not toeing the corporate line.
Finding Identity and Speaking Out
Kelly shared her struggle to retain her identity, being biracial, and expressing opinions, especially regarding the Biden interview and vaccine mandates, leading to suspension and eventual settlement with her former network, ESPN.
Navigating Corporate Control and Allies
During her lawsuit against ESPN, Kelly navigated the complexities of corporate control and backlash, ultimately finding support from unexpected allies and discovering new strength to speak out.
Personal Sacrifices and Standing Firm
Despite facing isolation and judgment, Kelly remained resolute in her stance, reconciling personal sacrifices, professional uncertainties, and the price of staying true to her beliefs amidst corporate and societal pressures.
Challenges with Corporate Environment and Individual Values
The podcast episode delves into the challenges faced within the corporate environment and the conflict with personal values. The speaker discusses the pressure to conform and stay silent, highlighting the struggle of balancing personal beliefs against corporate expectations. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, the episode emphasizes the importance of courage in standing up for what one believes, even in the face of adversity.
Controversies in Women's Sports and Upholding Integrity
The episode also addresses controversies surrounding women's sports, focusing on the inclusion of transgender athletes. The speaker expresses concerns about maintaining the integrity of women's sports and the impact of allowing biological men to compete in women's leagues. This discussion explores the fine line between promoting inclusivity and preserving the fairness and competitiveness of women's sports, calling for thoughtful dialogue and journalistic integrity in addressing such complex and sensitive issues.
Dave Rubin of “The Rubin Report” talks to Sage Steele about her journey from ESPN to independent broadcasting; how she was punished and canceled for speaking out against vaccine mandates; how she rose through the ranks of ESPN; how the network's culture went "woke" at a rapid speed following Trump's election; how her conservative upbringing and personal experiences shaped her political evolution; the importance of speaking your mind despite backlash; her observations on ESPN’s shift toward political activism; her former colleagues, like Jemele Hill, making public remarks against Trump and the fallout; the hypocrisy within social justice movements; the profit motive behind racial division and divisive narratives; the impact of transgender athletes in women's sports, revealing fears and challenges faced in addressing the issue; the hypocrisy of coaches like Dawn Staley who pretend to support trans women in women’s sports while their behavior on the court shows they believe differently; her eye-opening experiences in corporate media; the disillusionment she faced with corporate control; concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and the erosion of traditional values; and much more.