I can't say enough good things about Sage Steele!! She is so warm, sincere and engaging. She received a standing ovation following her remarks. She also spent a good deal of time visiting with our guests and attended our margarita party at the end of the conference. I would HIGHLY recommend Sage to any group who needs a speaker who can inspire.
Sage Steele
Former ESPN Broadcaster, Veterans Advocate, Motivational Speaker
Profile Links
Fee Range
$30,000
Sage Steele
Biography
Longtime national TV broadcaster Sage Steele is now the host of The Sage Steele Show on YouTube and all podcast platforms. Previously, she was a fixture at ESPN from 2007 to 2023, primarily hosting the network's flagship show, SportsCenter.
Throughout the years, Steele has hosted a variety of shows and countless live events, including SportsCenter's coverage of the Super Bowl, The Masters, The NBA Finals, the World Series, and several other national and international sporting events. During her 16-year tenure at ESPN, Steele was also the lead host of the network's NBA coverage, hosting NBA Countdown on ESPN & ABC from 2013-2017 before returning to her SportsCenter roots.
Outside of the sports world, Sage has hosted a variety of events, including The Scripps National Spelling Bee, The Miss America Pageant on ABC, The Tournament of Roses Parade on ABC, Dick Clark's 2016 New Year's Rockin' Eve Special "Volcano Live with Nik Wallenda" as the famous daredevil walked a tightrope across a live volcano in Nicaragua in 2019 on ABC.
Over the years, Sage has been a featured guest host on ABC's The View, a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live, and profiled by numerous publications, including Rolliing Stone, Variety, The Wall Street Journal, Vibe, and Huffington Post.
Before her ESPN success, Sage's journalism career began in 1995 upon graduation from Indiana University. She held producing, reporting, and anchoring roles in local markets -- South Bend, IN (WSBT-TV), Indianpolis, IN (WISH-TV), and Tamps, FL (WFTS-TV) -- before landing similar roles at regional television networks in Tampa (Fox Sports Florida) and Washington DC/Baltimore (Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic).
Beyond the spotlight, Steele has a philanthropic and charitable heart for many passionate causes. Sage has served on the board of directors of The Boys & Girls Club of America. The V Foundation for Cancer Research, and The Pat Tillman Foundation. Currently, she is on the Board of Trustees for her lma mater, Indiana University.
Most importantly, Steele is the proud mother of 3 young adult children. She resides in South Florida and Nashville, Tennessee with her husband, Dave Barbuto.
Sage Steele
Featured Videos
Current: Sage Steele Opens Up About ESPN Departure, Lawsuit, Cancel Culture, Diversity & Race
Time 17:29
Sage Steele
Featured Keynote Programs
Practice Diversity…But Mean It
Every organization seems to have an officer in charge of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion), and although race/gender/religion are all important, a variety of ideological viewpoints is the true measure of diversity. Sage shares her real-life examples of how “diversity” was used against her and gives her thoughts on how organizations can implement a challenging and inspiring melting pot of experiences, ideas and opinions.
Choosing the Harder Right
Sage’s father, a 1970 West Point graduate, raised her and her brothers with this motto. It’s part of the cadet prayer at West Point which reads, in part, “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.” She has discovered that when we stop and think, we usually know exactly what decision we should make. Whether it applies to our personal lives or our careers, deep down, we know the answers! The key is to be brutally honest with ourselves, and then follow through. This motto (prayer) has guided Sage through some of her toughest times in life and has proven to be a point of clarification when pondering nearly every aspect of life.
Stand Up…Stand Tall…Stand Out
As a self-describe “shy girl,” Sage had to learn to stand up for herself as she lived out her non-traditional dream of becoming a sportscaster. Eventually she stood tall by being brave enough to cast fear aside (fear of failure, fear of disappointing others, fear of being disliked, etc.) and shoot to the top of her profession. Sage will share her story, and give examples of how she overcame life’s obstacles to achieve – and exceed – her professional goals.
Sports Stories from the Sidelines
Sage has covered just about everything in sports – NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NASCAR, IndyCar, all NCAA sports, high school sports, Super Bowls and World Series and NBA Finals….you name it!! And the stories are incredible! From working alongside hall-of-famers like Joe Montana, Kobe Bryant, Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Shaquille O’Neal, Wayne Gretzky, and countless others….to the stories of little leaguers who make up everything good about the world of sports. Sage counts it an honor to have fulfilled her dream – the one she announced to her parents when she was a shy, awkward 11-year-old girl who just wanted to learn the “how” and “why” behind what makes athletes the best of the best – and to share their stories with the world.
Sage Steele
Featured Review
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to some of the most common questions about booking Sage Steele for your event.
How do I book Sage Steele for my event?
Booking Sage Steele with Premiere Speakers Bureau is a streamlined 4-step process:
- Availability Check: Contact us with your event date and budget to verify if your desired speaker is available.
- Hold Date: We place a temporary "hold" on the speaker's calendar while you finalize internal approval.
- Contracting: We issue a contract outlining the fee, cancellation policy, and event expectations.
- Logistics: Once signed, our event management team handles all travel booking, itinerary, and AV requirements.
Why should I partner with Premiere Speakers Bureau rather than contacting speakers directly?
Partnering with Premiere Speakers Bureau provides a comprehensive safety net for your event that direct booking cannot match. You get the same speaker for the same price, but with a dedicated team with over 30 years of event experience handling contracts, logistics, and are prepared for any emergency. We know what it takes to run an excellent event.
What makes Premiere Speakers Bureau unique compared to other agencies?
Premiere Speakers Bureau distinguishes itself by having over 30 years of experience while partnering with more than 35,000 events. PSB has also built a streamlined, fully online process that makes booking a speaker, handling travel and payments extremely easy for anyone looking to plan a speaker led event.
How does Premiere Speakers Bureau's 'Zero Cost Service' model work?
Premiere Speakers Bureau operates on a 'Zero Cost Service' model for event planners. Our services—including research, booking, and logistics—are always free to the client. The speaker covers our commission from their standard honorarium as payment for our role in marketing and managing their engagements.
How are speaker fees structured, and what is typically included?
A speaker's fee typically covers the keynote presentation, a pre-event planning call, and standard customization. Travel expenses are usually billed separately.
What are the standard policies for speaker travel and expenses?
Travel expenses are negotiated during contracting. We generally recommend a flat travel fee for simplicity, though we also offer line-by-line invoicing when preferred. PSB ensures these expenses adhere to professional standards, and our Event Portal allows for easy tracking and invoicing.
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