Former ESPN broadcaster Sage Steele has described experiencing a rift with NBA coaches after publicly expressing her support for former President Donald Trump. Steele, speaking in an interview with 'The Rubin Report,' detailed instances of what she characterized as "passive aggressiveness from NBA coaches."
She specifically named coaches Doc Rivers and Steve Kerr, stating that they sent her angry messages following her conservative commentary. According to Steele, Rivers sent her "pages and pages of why I'm such an idiot to be a Republican or conservative and support Donald Trump" before unfollowing her on social media.
"Just knowing that so many of them are full of s–t with what they say versus what they do," Steele said. "And seeing the passive aggressiveness from some of these head coaches, whether it's Steve Kerr or Doc Rivers — these people that I used to call a friend, especially Doc."
Steele recounted that out of the blue, Rivers would send her clips, and when she attempted to steer conversations toward basketball or personal matters, he would instead express disappointment. "I just want to talk basketball with you or 'How are your kids? You have grandkids now.' And instead it's, 'I'm so disappointing in the sellout thing' — with a coach," she stated.
She suggested that such interactions can alienate sports fans. Steele also speculated that athletes with conservative views might be hesitant to express them publicly due to concerns about their playing time. "So those players are put in very difficult positions because if they speak up to someone like a Doc Rivers or Steve Kerr, I don't know how he handles that in his locker room — but is that going to affect my playing time?"
Steele, a former anchor for 'SportsCenter,' departed ESPN in 2023. She had previously filed a lawsuit against the network in 2021, alleging she was removed from the air after making comments regarding ESPN's COVID-19 vaccination policy.