Sage Steele

Sage Steele

Keynote Speaker: Former ESPN Anchor Known for Hosting "SportsCenter"

Sage Steele Biography

Sage Steele is an American television anchor who is the former co-host of the 12pm (ET) SportsCenter on ESPN. She also hosted "SportsCenter" on the Road from various sporting events such as the Super Bowl and The Masters, and "NBA Countdown" on ESPN and ABC for four seasons, ending in 2017. For five years prior to the NBA assignment, Steele was a full-time host of "SportsCenter," ESPN's flagship show, and had previously contributed to "ESPN First Take," "Mike & Mike in the Morning," and "SportsNation." Steele hosted "SportsCenter's" daytime coverage of the NBA Finals in 2012 and 2013, and covered every NBA Finals from 2012 to 2020.

Before moving to the 6 p.m. ET "SportsCenter" in May 2018, Steele anchored "SportsCenter: AM." Previously she hosted "NBA Countdown" on ESPN and ABC from 2013 through the 2016-17 NBA season.

Steele, who joined ESPN in 2007, served as a regular anchor of "SportsCenter" until 2023. She also hosted the Scripps National Spelling Bee from 2010-2013. In addition to "SportsCenter," she also has contributed to "ESPN First Take" and "Mike & Mike," and has been a guest co-host of ESPN2’s "SportsNation." Steele also hosted ABC and ESPN’s "New Year's Rockin' Eve" during the inaugural College Football Playoff.

Beyond her work for ESPN, Steele has co-hosted ABC’s telecast of the Miss America pageant since 2016 and has been a featured guest host on ABC’s "The View." In 2015, Steele added ‘mommy blogger’ to her job portfolio, contributing several stories to Disney-owned Babble. She has also been a guest on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" and has been profiled by Rolling Stone, Wall Street Journal, Vibe, and Huffington Post, to name a few.

Prior to the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Brickyard 400, the Indiana University graduate had the honor of driving the pace car at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Steele began her television career at WSBT-TV in South Bend, Ind., as a producer and reporter (1995-1997). She then moved to WISH-TV in Indianapolis where she was a beat reporter for the Indianapolis Colts and the Indiana Pacers, in addition to covering the 1997 NCAA Men’s Final Four, NASCAR, and the IndyCar Series.

In August 1998, Steele moved to Tampa and worked as a reporter, anchor, and host for WFTS-TV. She was the beat reporter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1998-2001 and covered the 1999 NCAA Men’s Final Four. In 2000, she joined Fox Sports Net in Tampa as a reporter and covered Super Bowl XXXV for the 2000-01 NFL season.

In April 2001, Steele became the anchor for the debut of Comcast SportsNet, serving the Washington DC/Baltimore region. She anchored the flagship show SportsNite for six years and was also a beat reporter for the Baltimore Ravens from 2001-2005, hosting a magazine show for all five seasons.

Steele graduated from Indiana University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree in sports communications. In her spare time, Steele is a board member for the Pat Tillman Foundation and is passionate about working alongside military veterans. She enjoys horseback riding and spending time with her husband and three children. Steele also co-hosted the ABC special "Volcano Live with Nik Wallenda" in 2019 and is an active board member for The Boys & Girls Club of America and The V Foundation for Cancer Research.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Sage Steele and other top speakers and celebrities.

Sage Steele Speaking Topics

Practice Diversity ... but mean it

YES….race/gender/religion are all important cogs of diversity. But I truly believe diversity BEGINS AND ENDS with diversity of THOUGHT. Diversity/tolerance/acceptance….MUST begin with diversity of thought. I have many examples that I am willing to share.. when diversity of thought has been used against me/other public figures, etc… and how we can hold each other (personally, professionally & publicly) accountable to be better and practice TRUE diversity! In my opinion, practicing this is the ONLY way our country improves and heals.

Choosing the Harder Right

My father, a 1970 West Point graduate, raised us with this motto. It's part of the cadet prayer at West Point which reads, “help me to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and to never be content with a half truth when the whole can be won”. I have found that if we stop and think about it, we usually know exactly what decision we SHOULD make. Whether it applies to our personal lives or our careers, deep down, we know the answer! The key is actually being honest with ourselves, and then following through with it. For a basic, everyday example… putting the grocery cart in the designated area in the parking lot even though its much faster and easier to shove it up on the curb because we’re all so “busy” !! This motto (prayer) has guided me through some of my toughest times in life, and has proven to be so helpful when pondering nearly every aspect of life.

Standing Tall

I want to go deep on the sometimes difficult, yet important decision to stand up for ourselves, but to do so with grace & kindness. I have countless stories from my 27+ years as a tv sportscaster… stories and examples that begin with me being a super shy young woman with a big non-traditional dream (especially at the time) …in a man’s world with no confidence, no experience, as a textbook people-pleaser, afraid to stand up for myself….and the conscious decisions I HAD to make in order to survive…and eventually, flourish. This can definitely be tailored to female audiences (of all ages) but male as well. I have been amazed by how few men are willing to put their neck on the line and stand up for themselves or others, despite what society says about/expects from men. But in order to find true success, we must be willing to stand tall, which means being brave enough to cast fear aside. Fear of failure, fear of disappointing others, fear of being disliked…so many fears! But once we do, and we come out on the other side, it truly is a beautiful thing…which only encourages us to keep pushing, keep reaching for the stars, by standing tall.

Sage Steele Videos

New Haven Open - Sage Steele
VID00021

How do I book Sage Steele to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Sage Steele for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Sage Steele, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Sage Steele or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Sage Steele for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Sage Steele, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Sage Steele are $30,000 - $50,000 for live events and $30,000 - $50,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Sage Steele, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Sage Steele speak about?

Sage Steele is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Athlete, Sports, Host & Emcee, Sports Motivation, Sports Journalism & Broadcasting, Journalism, Diversity & Inclusion, Basketball, Broadcasting and Entertainment.

Where does Sage Steele travel from?

Sage Steele generally travels from Arizona, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Sage Steele?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Sage Steele for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Sage Steele for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Sage Steele or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Sage Steele is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Athlete, Sports and Host & Emcee. The estimated speaking fee range to book Sage Steele for live events is $30,000 - $50,000, and for virtual events $30,000 - $50,000. Sage Steele generally travels from Arizona, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Rachel Nichols, Hannah Storm and Greg Gumbel. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Sage Steele for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 04/11/2024.

Sage Steele Speaking Topics

  • Practice Diversity ... but mean it

    YES….race/gender/religion are all important cogs of diversity. But I truly believe diversity BEGINS AND ENDS with diversity of THOUGHT. Diversity/tolerance/acceptance….MUST begin with diversity of thought. I have many examples that I am willing to share.. when diversity of thought has been used against me/other public figures, etc… and how we can hold each other (personally, professionally & publicly) accountable to be better and practice TRUE diversity! In my opinion, practicing this is the ONLY way our country improves and heals.

  • Choosing the Harder Right

    My father, a 1970 West Point graduate, raised us with this motto. It's part of the cadet prayer at West Point which reads, “help me to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and to never be content with a half truth when the whole can be won”. I have found that if we stop and think about it, we usually know exactly what decision we SHOULD make. Whether it applies to our personal lives or our careers, deep down, we know the answer! The key is actually being honest with ourselves, and then following through with it. For a basic, everyday example… putting the grocery cart in the designated area in the parking lot even though its much faster and easier to shove it up on the curb because we’re all so “busy” !! This motto (prayer) has guided me through some of my toughest times in life, and has proven to be so helpful when pondering nearly every aspect of life.

  • Standing Tall

    I want to go deep on the sometimes difficult, yet important decision to stand up for ourselves, but to do so with grace & kindness. I have countless stories from my 27+ years as a tv sportscaster… stories and examples that begin with me being a super shy young woman with a big non-traditional dream (especially at the time) …in a man’s world with no confidence, no experience, as a textbook people-pleaser, afraid to stand up for myself….and the conscious decisions I HAD to make in order to survive…and eventually, flourish. This can definitely be tailored to female audiences (of all ages) but male as well. I have been amazed by how few men are willing to put their neck on the line and stand up for themselves or others, despite what society says about/expects from men. But in order to find true success, we must be willing to stand tall, which means being brave enough to cast fear aside. Fear of failure, fear of disappointing others, fear of being disliked…so many fears! But once we do, and we come out on the other side, it truly is a beautiful thing…which only encourages us to keep pushing, keep reaching for the stars, by standing tall.

Sage Steele Videos

New Haven Open - Sage Steele
VID00021

Sage Steele News

  • ESPN Anchor Sage Steele Won't Appear On-Air Following Covid ...

    19 hours ago ... ESPN anchor Sage Steele will not be appearing on-air this week, according to multiple news sites, reportedly after she contracted Covid-19 and following ...

  • Sage Steele joins 'NBA Countdown

    Sage Steele will join ESPN's "NBA Countdown" shows on Fridays and Sundays this season, the network announced Tuesday.Sage Steele will appear on ESPN's "NBA Countdown" shows on Fridays and Sundays this season. Steele will join Doug Collins, Jalen Rose and Bill Simmons on the show, which debuts on Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. ET.

  • How do I book Sage Steele to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Sage Steele for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Sage Steele, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Sage Steele or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Sage Steele for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Sage Steele, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Sage Steele are $30,000 - $50,000 for live events and $30,000 - $50,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Sage Steele, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Sage Steele speak about?

    Sage Steele is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Athlete, Sports, Host & Emcee, Sports Motivation, Sports Journalism & Broadcasting, Journalism, Diversity & Inclusion, Basketball, Broadcasting and Entertainment.
  • Where does Sage Steele travel from?

    Sage Steele generally travels from Arizona, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Sage Steele?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Sage Steele for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Sage Steele for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Sage Steele or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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SAGE STEELE

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