In his recent podcast episode, the host of “First Take” discussed the departure of Sage Steele from ESPN and her subsequent interview on “The Megyn Kelly Show.” Steele, who recently settled her lawsuit against ESPN and left the network, criticized the company for its alleged hypocrisy.
Steele felt that she was being held to a different standard compared to her colleagues, stating that the network can’t have it both ways.
The crux of Steele’s lawsuit centered around her claim of infringement on her freedom of speech.
She believed she was reprimanded for sharing her personal opinions on the COVID vaccine and former President Barack Obama, while her colleagues who expressed their views on the George Floyd murder faced no consequences.
However, Steele’s words contradicted the company’s policies and culture. Steele expressed her desire for consistency, while the host, Smith, held a different viewpoint.
Smith believes that corporations shouldn’t try to silence anyone and that everyone should be allowed to express their views.
He argues that individuals should be accountable for their words and the impact it may have on the company’s bottom line.
Smith suggests that if an individual’s words harm the financial aspect of the company, it is justifiable for the company to take action against them.
“I think it’s a mistake when a corporation tries to silence anybody,” Smith said on his podcast, according to Awful Announcing. “I think you let everybody speak, that way the company doesn’t get blamed for the positions and individual takes.
Speaking out of the other side of his mouth, Smith also said:
“The individual has to be culpable for the words that we articulate and the impact that it has ultimately on us.
“If I say something and it ultimately costs ESPN dollars and as a result ESPN says, ‘You got to go,’ they’re not saying I have to go because of my politics. They’re saying I have to go because I compromised their bottom line. And I think that’s the position all corporations should take, as opposed to trying to curtail or silence anybody because you think their individual words are going to be a reflection on the whole. It is not, when you let everybody speak.”
He emphasizes that corporations shouldn’t try to control or silence individuals out of fear that their words may reflect on the entire organization.
Steele had filed a lawsuit against ESPN, claiming that the network retaliated against her by removing her from assignments after her appearance on former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler’s podcast.
During that podcast, Steele made controversial statements about being compelled to receive the COVID vaccine and Obama’s identification as Black on the census.
Smith, who is now seen as the face of ESPN, revealed that he has spoken with Steele since her departure and hinted at the possibility of her making a future appearance on his podcast.
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