ESPN’s Sage Steele sues network, alleges abuse of free speech and retaliation

ESPN host Sage Style is suing the network in response to widely criticized comments he made about the COVID-19 vaccine mandate and former President Barack Obama in response to a podcast. He argues that ESPN and parent Disney are selectively enforcing policies that prohibit news staff from commenting on political or social issues, given the popularity of their positions.

“ESPN’s inconsistency in how it treated Style compared to its peers shows that Style was punished not only for exercising its constitutional right to free speech, but also for the content of that speech,” the Connecticut court said in a statement on Wednesday. Style was punished by an employer in violation of Connecticut law because he used his First Amendment to express views that ESPN and Disney disagreed with.

In a podcast with NFL quarterback Jay Cutler, Steele in September 2021 expressed skepticism about private companies asking employees to be vaccinated. He called the tenure “sick” and “terrible for me in many ways”, indicating that he had just done his job.

“Steele also offered us some candid and selfless thoughts on media criticism and acceptance of some people’s differing opinions, or not in line with the opinions they think others have about appearance, gender, etc. ”, says the complaint. . In this context, when asked about her experience as an orbital woman, Still pointed out that Barbara Walters has already confronted her (on the ABC show). To viewOwned by Disney) in its orthodox identity.

Asked by Walters why he doesn’t identify as black like Obama, Steele replied that it was “fascinating” that the former president chose to identify as black despite having a white mother and grandmother. He concluded: “You are. I will do my part.”

On the podcast, Style also made a comment stating that women who wear provocative clothing bear some responsibility for sexism and sexual harassment.

“When you wear it like that, I’m not saying you deserve rude comments, but you know what you’re doing when you wear it,” he said. “We must be responsible as women. We know what we’re doing when we do something.”

According to the complaint, several news organizations “criticized” the style by misquoting it and taking its comments out of context. The style references former colleague Jemelle Hill, who is currently a writer. AtlanticHe called him a “clown” for his comments.

“In a knee-jerk reaction, ESPN and Disney relied on the deceptive features of their comments, succumbed to groupthink and forced the style to publicly apologize and temporarily discontinue in October 2021,” wrote Stell’s attorney Brian Friedman.

ESPN released a statement apologizing to Stella, saying in part, “We have a different point of view: Dialogue and discussion make this place great. “In doing so, we hope that these views will be expressed respectfully, consistent with our values ​​and our national policies.”

ESPN has never denied any disciplinary action and said in a statement: “Sage remains a valued contributor to some of ESPN’s biggest profile content, including the latest Masters television show and our midday anchor. ᲡPorto Central. In fact, he was never arrested. ”

Stell argues that ESPN did nothing to find out that he was suspended because it “helped the public perception that he was being punished”. [her] For his comments: “He also alleges that ESPN continued to punish him and remove him from important tasks, including covering the New York Marathon, the Rose Parade, and the 12th Annual ESPNW Gathering, which he hosted from the start. . 2010. .

At the ESPNW Summit, Laura Gentil, executive vice president of commercial marketing for ESPN and Disney, sued Steele for allegedly violating a company policy that prohibits ESPN employees from publicly making personal attacks on their colleagues, according to the complaint. He said that ESPN “chose” the “sit this” style as a result of his comments.

“In other words, Gentil openly acknowledged that ESPN was taking disciplinary action against Style as a direct result of his constitutional right to free speech,” the complaint reads. “To insult the wounds, it was done at an event meant to celebrate and enhance the diverse voices and perspectives of women.”

Steele protests that ESPN selectively implements its policies, which prohibit employees from expressing political opinions based on whether or not you agree with their position. He points to Hill, then to ᲡPorto Central The presenter, former President Donald Trump, called on Twitter “a white supremacist who has been largely surrounded by other white supremacists”.

Steele also argues that ESPN forgave its publicly bullied colleagues, although the harassment caught the attention of company executives. In October 2021, he spoke with ESPN Senior Vice President Norby Williamson about associates ᲡPorto Central Anchor Nicole Briscoe reposts a post from someone who said they hope ESPN no longer has Steele’s coverage of women’s sporting events. Briscoe added: “Amen. (Even if it gets me in trouble.) A man. “

According to the complaint, the post remained on Briscoe’s account for more than three months and had no consequences.

“Countless ESPN employees, including Briscoe, [Dan] “When online, Sarah Span, Mark Jones, Mina Kim, Damien Wood and others openly and publicly criticized the style for directly violating ESPN policy without repercussions,” the lawsuit reads. “Disney and ESPN stand and allow the style of bullying and harassment, thus punishing the style for expressing its views on exercising First Amendment rights.”