Sage Steele, a renowned ESPN anchor and sports journalist, has long been admired for her professionalism and on-screen presence.
However, behind her successful career lies a personal story that has piqued the interest of many: her divorce from Jonathan Bailey after nearly two decades of marriage.
Who is Sage Steele?
Sage Steele was born on November 28, 1972, in the Panama Canal Zone. As the daughter of a military officer, her early years were marked by frequent relocations across the U.S. and overseas, shaping her resilient and adaptable character.
She began her career as a sports reporter and anchor in the late 1990s, eventually joining ESPN in 2007.
Known for hosting “SportsCenter” and “NBA Countdown,” Steele’s expertise and engaging personality quickly made her a well-known figure in sports broadcasting.
Throughout her career, she has received multiple Emmy nominations and accolades, solidifying her place in the industry.
Sage Steele (Credit: YouTube)
Sage Steele’s Marriage to Jonathan Bailey
Steele married Jonathan Bailey in 1999 after meeting him at Indiana University. Bailey, an Army Reserve officer at the time, later served in Iraq.
The couple built a life together, raising three children—two daughters and one son—and actively supporting military causes.
Their relationship appeared solid for many years, with Steele often sharing how her husband’s military service impacted their family life.
The Divorce Announcement
However, after 18 years of marriage, Sage Steele and Jonathan Bailey’s relationship came to an unexpected end in 2017.
The couple announced their divorce publicly, stating their separation was amicable and that they were focused on co-parenting their three children.
The news was a surprise to many, given their public image as a stable family. Despite their personal separation, they emphasized their commitment to raising their children in a healthy, supportive environment.
The Divorce Settlement
The divorce settlement between Steele and Bailey was guided by a prenuptial agreement. Steele retained most of the couple’s assets and property but agreed to pay Bailey a lump sum for alimony and child support.
Sage Steele (Credit: X)
The two have continued to co-parent without public conflict, even being seen together on Father’s Day in 2018, demonstrating a commitment to mutual respect and a shared focus on their children’s well-being.
Reasons for the Divorce
While the exact reasons behind the divorce have never been publicly disclosed, close sources suggest that the couple grew apart over time.
Differences in personality, lifestyle, and the strain of Bailey’s military deployments are believed to have contributed to their separation.
The challenges of maintaining a marriage while dealing with the demands of military life may have taken a toll on their relationship.
The Impact on Sage Steele’s Career
Despite the personal turmoil of her divorce, Sage Steele’s professional life continued to thrive. She remained a prominent figure at ESPN, with her work ethic and professionalism earning her respect within the network.
In interviews, Steele has mentioned that her job offered stability and a sense of purpose during a difficult time.
Far from derailing her career, Steele’s ability to compartmentalize her personal struggles and focus on her work was seen as a testament to her resilience.
Moving Forward: Life After Divorce
As of now, Sage Steele has not remarried and has focused on her career and raising her children.
Her divorce has not affected her standing in the industry, and she continues to host “NFL Live” and other major sports events.
Steele’s ability to remain composed and professional, even amidst personal challenges, has made her a role model for many, especially for women balancing demanding careers and family life.
Fans of HGTV’s popular show Renovation Island were left speculating about the fate of Sarah and Bryan Baeumler’s relationship after years of on-air arguments and tension.
The couple, who first met in September 2001 and married in 2004, became reality TV stars known for their renovations and transformations, but behind the scenes, their relationship faced challenges that were visible to fans.
The Baeumlers’ journey, including their ups and downs, showcases how reality TV can sometimes magnify the complexities of relationships, especially when dealing with the pressures of major home renovation projects.
The Early Years of Sarah and Bryan’s Relationship
Sarah and Bryan’s relationship started off like any typical love story, but it took a major turn when they entered the world of reality television.
Over time, their seemingly perfect life started to show some cracks on-screen. The couple, who had been together for more than a decade before their reality TV fame, started experiencing tension as they worked on large-scale projects together.
Sarah and Bryan Baeumler (Credit: YouTube)
On Renovation Island, viewers were often exposed to moments of heated exchanges between the Baeumlers. In one memorable 2020 moment, Bryan shared a tense exchange with Sarah, saying,
“You need someone every now and then to get grumpy with. I’m hers and she’s mine.”
This seemingly lighthearted comment triggered some fans, who were concerned about the couple’s dynamic.
Speculations and Clashes on Camera
As time went on, Sarah and Bryan’s arguments became more frequent on camera, leading some fans to believe that the couple’s relationship was on the verge of collapse.
A Reddit user posted in 2022,
“I keep expecting to see the headline ‘Baeumlers Divorce [sic].’”
Their fights were sometimes centered around renovation decisions, such as a particularly tense moment when Sarah confronted Bryan about bathroom designs, saying,
“Don’t always look scared when I enter the room.”
In another instance, Bryan was noted for being “cranky with his wife” while dealing with renovation stress.
These moments, though uncomfortable for viewers, were just a fraction of the Baeumlers’ real-life dynamic.
Behind their disagreements, there was a stronger narrative about how the couple grew and adapted to working together under intense pressure.
Lessons Learned from Their Disagreements
Despite the public perception of tension, Sarah and Bryan Baeumler have both reflected on how their on-air arguments helped them grow as a couple.
Sarah and Bryan Baeumler (Credit: X)
Sarah has acknowledged that the reality of renovations is far from glamorous, and they didn’t want to sugarcoat the challenges they faced.
“We share the good, the bad, and the ugly,” Sarah explained in a 2020 interview with Entertainment Tonight.
By allowing fans to see their conflicts, they hoped to give a real depiction of what working together on such large-scale projects entails.
Bryan, ever the realist, shared advice for couples considering working together on home renovation projects.
He suggested that partners take time away from work and avoid discussing it in bed. Both he and Sarah have worked to keep their marriage strong by finding ways to balance their personal and professional lives.
As Sarah put it, their relationship is like a “pendulum,” where one of them takes a backseat when the other is more focused on business, and vice versa.
The Growth of Their Relationship
Over the years, Sarah and Bryan have learned to pick their battles. In a 2022 interview, Bryan admitted that 99% of the fights couples have during a renovation project are rooted in other deeper issues, and recognizing this has helped them maintain their relationship.
“I’ve learned not to sweat the small stuff,” Bryan shared, emphasizing that they’ve become better at managing stress together.
Despite the on-screen bickering, the couple’s commitment to each other and their family remains strong. They continue to work together successfully, despite the chaos that renovation projects often bring.
Looking Back and Moving Forward
Sarah and Bryan are not just successful business partners—they are also deeply committed to their relationship.
In an Instagram post from April 2024, Sarah celebrated Bryan’s 50th birthday, expressing her love for him and the future they have together.
The couple celebrated Bryan’s milestone birthday with a romantic trip to New Orleans, reinforcing their bond and their shared dreams for the future.
While their on-screen arguments initially caused fans to question the strength of their marriage, Sarah and Bryan Baeumler have proven that they are still a team—both in their personal lives and in their renovation business.
They have become an example of how couples can overcome challenges and emerge stronger from difficult moments.
