| USA TODAY
Sage Steele talks Stephen A. Smith, layoffs and turmoil at ESPN
ESPN made headlines after the company laid off hundreds of its staff. We talk to Sage Steele about it, and the importance of covering sports in 2020.
ESPN has announced expanded duties and a new SportsCenter time slot in 2021 for one of its most popular anchors.
The network said Tuesday that Sage Steele will move from the 6 p.m. ET edition of its flagship news show to co-anchor the noon ET edition of SportsCenter with Matt Barrie, starting in mid-January. In addition, Steele will also have a new periodic interview program on ESPN+. Details of that show, including the name and debut date will be revealed at a later date.
“As I begin my 15th year at ESPN, I couldn’t be happier for the opportunity to continue my dream job of hosting SportsCenter,” said Steele, who is raising three teenagers. “The new venture on ESPN+ makes this one of the most exciting moves of my career, and the perfect way to kick off a new chapter in the new year.”
Elle Duncan will take Steele’s place on the evening SportsCenter broadcast alongside co-anchor Kevin Neghandi once she returns in February from maternity leave.
“We have a very talented and diverse set of voices on SportsCenter and a deep lineup of quality individuals who make up the team,” ESPN Executive Vice President Norby Williamson said.
“As we turn the page to 2021, we’re doing what we have always done – providing new opportunities for some anchors to experience different shows and pairings while offering continuity and familiarity to our viewers with other editions.”
