Shannon Sharpe. Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Former ESPN Host Calls Out Network Over Shannon Sharpe

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Apr 24, 2025 9:26 AM ET

ESPN has been getting harshly criticized for the decision to keep Shannon Sharpe on the air in the aftermath of the serious accusations made against him earlier this week. Naturally, some of ESPN's many haters quickly got on board with roasting the network.

On Tuesday, hours after the disturbing audio TMZ released of what appeared to be Shannon Sharpe threatening a woman he was reportedly in a relationship with, former ESPN host Sage Steele took a few shots at her former employer. Taking to X, she criticized ESPN and parent-company Disney for being more offended by conservative viewpoints than people with "questionable character."

"There’s a long list of examples where ESPN/Disney considers having conservative viewpoints a much greater offense than questionable character," Steele wrote.

There’s a long list of examples where ESPN/Disney considers having conservative viewpoints a much greater offense than questionable character. https://t.co/QfijOxiyFp
— Sage Steele (@sagesteele) April 22, 2025

Steele has long been at odds with ESPN and has asserted for years that her ousting from the network was due to her conservative opinions more than anything. She ultimately settled a lawsuit against the network in 2023, leaving for good.

Among the first to reply to Steele's message was another former ESPN employee, Ashley Brewer Kaminsky. She recalled being "chewed out" by her boss for sharing a picture of a Republican member of Congress and a UFC fighter in her Instagram Story one time.

"Never forget when I got chewed out by my boss for posting a pic of a republican congressman & UFC fighter on my instagram story at the Mcgregor fight. LOL," Kaminsky replied.

Kaminsky was employed by ESPN from 2020 through 2023. The former college swim star and Olympic trialist was laid off amid a round of cuts and cost-cutting measures.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Sage Steele speaks onstage during the Players Tailgate by Bullseye Event Group on February 13, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Bullseye Event Group)Jesse Grant/Getty Images

ESPN's situation with Sharpe probably has a lot more to do with money than his character though. Though it's unclear just how much money ESPN pays him, it's probably a lot more than what they paid Steele or Kaminsky.

There's also the matter of Sharpe being a major figure who brings in both ratings and social media interactions (positive and negative) in a way that neither of them were positioned to.

In the end though, it probably doesn't matter.

Though ESPN sat on their hands for a time, they may ultimately have to give Sharpe the same treatment that they gave Steele and Kaminsky: Showing them the door.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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