Former ESPN employee Sage Steele has come to the defense of another former ESPN employee, Sam Ponder. The network said it fired Ponder and Robert Griffin III in a "cost-cutting" move. Steele had a different take.
Steele released a video on social media in relation to Ponder's firing, saying she wasn't going to waste time talking about ESPN — but instead would focus on Ponder the person.
For the record, many believe Steele was fired for her conservative viewpoints.
"When I was still at ESPN, we would talk about it all the time," Steele said. "And I just need everyone to know, (Ponder) is a brilliant woman, an incredible mother who's also made me an incredible mother ... and I'm so excited for her future. It's so scary when you're in it; you don't know if you're going to ever be OK. Sam already knows that this is such a blessing that God is bestowing upon her because there's so much more for her to do."
I love you, @samponder ❤️ pic.twitter.com/2IMwURVfMN
— Sage Steele (@sagesteele) August 15, 2024
Per Awful Announcing:
"Steele was suspended by ESPN for one week in 2021 for criticizing the network's COVID-19 policy on a podcast hosted by Jay Cutler. In response, Steele sued ESPN the next year and eventually settled last August. Steele left ESPN shortly after agreeing to the settlement and now hosts a podcast for Bill Maher's media network.
"Since leaving ESPN, Steele has continued to criticize the network over its handling of political speech, including its handling of her interview with President Joe Biden in 2021.
"Last May, Steele came to Ponder's defense after USA Today columnist Nancy Armour accused Ponder of 'bigotry' over Ponder's support for the "fairness in girls' sports" movement led by conservative commentator Riley Gaines and others, which often involves anti-transgender rhetoric. Steele called Armour's column a 'pathetic attack,' while Ponder wrote on X that 'biology is not bigotry.'"
ESPN has a history of cutting costs and on-air talent. So that may be all this was. But you can't help but wonder if Steele is right. Both Ponder and RGIII often gave strong takes that didn't always align with the far left (or almost never aligned). And they were the two who were let go. So it is fair to wonder ... if this was more than just a matter of money.
Ponder is best known for her work as the host of NFL Countdown. ESPN has yet to name a replacement.
