Sage Steele, ESPN personality, Indiana University and Carmel High School graduate, will no longer host “NBA Countdown,” according to Sporting News.
Steele has become a staple on the network where she has worked for over a decade. She will be replaced on the show by Michelle Beadle of ESPN2’s “Sports Nation.”
Beadle will host the network’s coverage throughout postseason including the Western Conference Finals and NBA Finals.
"The only thing better than working for Connor Schell and Kevin Wildes is being able to spend each day with all of the incredibly talented people at NBA Countdown and SportsNation," Beadle said. "It’s the best job in sports."
She will host the remaining regular-season editions of "NBA Countdown" on ESPN and ABC.
.@MichelleDBeadle named full-time NBA Countdown host for ESPN & ABC, including NBA playoffs + Finals! More details: https://t.co/gXo3XX4B1O pic.twitter.com/mI81fUeoGm
— Gianina (@Gianina_ESPN) April 4, 2017
Official statement by @MichelleDBeadle on being named sole NBA countdown host for playoffs gives insight to how big of a dork she is pic.twitter.com/QSZxtF55kL
— Chillin in my Bacta (@AminESPN) April 4, 2017
In a release ESPN vice president of original content Kevin Wildes said:
“I’ve had the wonderful experience of working directly with Michelle for several years and as predicted, she’s made a tremendous mark on NBA Countdown since joining the show in October. It’s very rare to find a commentator who can so masterfully combine intelligence, candor, and humor and she does it all while keeping her finger on the pulse of the NBA. Like a great point guard, she makes everyone around her better and we’re looking forward to this next chapter in Michelle’s career as she leads us forward on NBA Countdown.”
Steele has been involved in a couple of political controversies over the past year.
She was criticized for abruptly ending an interview during the NBA's Celebrity All-Star Game and in January, her Instagram post complaining about her delay in travel plans due to a Trump protest was frowned upon.
ESPN officials said Steele will remain with the network in other capacities.
