Former ESPN host Sage Steele claimed Barbara Walters tried to “beat up” her backstage in 2014.
Sage, who recently left ESPN after settling a legal dispute with the sports broadcaster, claimed she clashed behind the scenes on The View in 2014 with Walters, who died in December 2022 at the age of 93.
“It was Barbara, Whoopi [Goldberg]and me in the dark green room next to it,” Steele recalled on Thursday’s episode of The Megyn Kelly Show.
“I was probably about three feet from the wall and the trash can, and Barbara was standing here in front of me.” pushed me back against the wall and the trash can,” Steele claimed.
“I thought, ‘What did that do?’ [she] just do with me? “This 140-year-old woman just tried to attack me.”
Former ESPN host Sage Steele claimed Barbara Walters tried to “beat up” her in 2014.
The alleged incident reportedly happened backstage at The View in 2014
“Some of the producers saw it. Whoopi saw it,” Steele continued. “And Whoopi said, ‘Come here.’ She was great. She pulled me aside in her little space and said, ‘Don’t let her do that.’ And I’m like, ‘Am I in a movie right now?’ ‘One of the legends of this industry just tried to beat me up!”
In a statement to the New York Post, a representative of Walters’ estate said, “I find this impossible to believe and uncharacteristic of Barbara!”
Steele’s claims come just days after she left ESPN after 16 years working at the sports broadcasting giant.
“Life update,” Steele’s post began on X, formerly Twitter. “After successfully resolving my case with ESPN/Disney, I have decided to leave so I can exercise my first amendment rights more freely.” I am grateful for so many wonderful experiences over the past 16 years and I look forward to my next chapter! ‘
Steele sued the broadcaster in April 2022 after alleging that ESPN violated her First Amendment rights and Connecticut free speech laws by suspending her for comments about former President Barack Obama and the COVID-19 vaccine.
The ban was imposed in October 2021 following Steele’s interview on the Jay Cutler podcast, in which she opposed mandatory vaccination against COVID-19, criticized women for dressing provocatively and challenged Obama’s claims that he was African American.
The terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Front Office Sports previously reported that Steele was offered $501,000 by the network to drop her lawsuit.
Steele apologized at the time of the suspension.
Sage claimed the altercation was observed by Whoopi Goldberg in the Green Room
Walters died in December 2022 at the age of 93 after reportedly suffering from advanced dementia
“I know my recent comments have caused controversy within the company and I apologize,” she said. “We are in the midst of an extremely challenging time that affects us all and it is more important than ever that we communicate constructively and thoughtfully.”
However, their lawsuit accused ESPN and its parent company Disney of forcing them into an apology against their will.
“In a knee-jerk response, ESPN and Disney relied on the misleading characterizations of their comments, bowed to groupthink, and forced Steele to publicly apologize and suspended her for a period of time in October 2021,” the lawsuit reads.
Steele’s interview with Megyn Kelly was her first appearance since leaving ESPN, and she was clearly emotional as she spoke about her experience.
“All I ever wanted was consistency,” Steele said. Steele criticized ESPN for allowing liberal peers like Malika Andrews, Elle Duncan and Sarah Spain to voice their views both on air and online, but instead withdrew Steele from the air to comment on Uncut Starring Jay Cutler.
“I should be able to express my personal opinions about my experiences in my free time without telling others what to do or what to think about being multiracial or being forced to get vaccinated,” she said. “And I think that’s exactly what breaks my heart; is that I had different rules than everyone else.’
More recently, Steele has grappled with trans women in sports.
In March, Steele criticized the decision to allow transgender athletes to compete in USA Powerlifting’s women’s division after the sport’s governing body lost a four-year discrimination lawsuit against a transgender athlete.
Steele said the decision was “unfair to women” and noted how “ironic” it was that it was made during Women’s History Month, which began March 1.
“Unfair to women.” And ironic that this decision was made during Women’s History Month…” Steele tweeted. “The hypocrisy goes on.”
In May, Steele then slammed fellow defender Sam Ponder over allegations of bigotry after the ESPN host claimed it was unfair to ask young girls to compete against athletes who were male at birth.
“I’ve said very little publicly on this subject and so many people have written to me that they stop me on the street to say thank you and tell me stories about girls who are afraid to speak their mind for fear losing their jobs or being called hateful.” [sic]’ Ponder wrote.
Steele is stepping down from ESPN after 16 years, she announced Tuesday
Steele is leaving ESPN after 16 years to speak more freely here
COMMENTS FROM STEELE 2021
During an interview on former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler’s podcast, ESPN’s Sage Steele made several controversial statements that she says led to her being suspended from the network.
- Steele on ESPN’s COVID-19 mandate: “Well, I got my chance today…I just didn’t want to do it.” But I work for a company that mandates this, and I have until September 30, to get it done or I’m out… I respect everyone’s decision. I really do. But dictating it is sick. It’s one thing with masks and I have no problem with that. “It’s a different matter when you’re forcing it.”
- Steele, who is of mixed race, on identifying Barack Obama as African American: “I find that fascinating considering his black father was nowhere to be found, but his white mother and grandma raised him.” But hey, you do it, I will do it.’
- Steele on the sexism suffered by female employees who dress provocatively: “If you dress like that, I’m not saying you deserve the rude comments, but you know what you’re doing when you put on that outfit.” We also have to take responsibility as women. “We know what we’re doing when we attract certain things.”
USA Today’s Nancy Armor responded with a tweet and accompanying column. She dismissed Ponder’s claim that she defended women, instead arguing that the ESPN host encouraged bigotry.
However, Steele defended Ponder on Twitter: “Pathetic attack on a WOMAN who simply fights for other WOMEN in sport.” @nrarmour chooses to lead on her emotions rather than facts. “Follow the science,” right?! When in doubt, simply draw the fanatic/racer card! Funny. Stay strong @samponde ..this is a lonely fight but it’s worth it!’
The daughter of the first African American volleyball player in West Point history, Steele was born in 1972 in the Panama Canal Zone, where her father was then stationed. She also lived in Greece and Belgium before moving to Colorado in 1984 and graduating from Indiana University in 1995.
Her broadcasting career began in South Bend, Indiana, home of Notre Dame, and went on to work in Indianapolis, Tampa and Bethesda Maryland before joining ESPN in 2007.