ESPN Sportscaster Sage Steele Claims Disney Liable as Employer

ESPN Sportscaster Sage Steele asked a Connecticut trial court to allow her free speech claims to go forward against Walt Disney Co. over discipline she received for remarks made on a podcast, saying her employment was controlled by Disney, not ESPN, corporate policy.

“Despite defendants’ protestations, Disney is plaintiff’s employer under the terms of her employment contract, and that contract indicates that Disney’s corporate policies direct and control both her conduct and the conduct of its affiliate, ESPN,” Steele said in a filing Thursday in Connecticut Superior Court.

The suit arises from Steele’s appearance on Jay Cutler’s podcast on Sept. ...