Jonathan Bailey, Sage Steele’s ex-husband, is still a quiet, strong, and loyal man who preferred the background to the limelight. Their 20-year marriage served as a unique illustration in the sports media of mutual support and selflessness rather than celebrity scandal. Young and ambitious, they met in college, but only one of them would go on to pursue a career in public service. The other made the conscious choice to remain at home.
Bailey’s decision was remarkably selfless by all standards. He left his career to become a full-time parent sixteen years after they were married. Steele described how “my husband decided to give up his career and stay at home with our new baby girl exactly 16 years ago” in one of her Instagram posts. While Steele progressed within the constantly demanding realm of live broadcasting, that act—deeply personal and unquestionably uncommon—created a stable core for their family.
Table: Jonathan Bailey – Personal and Professional Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jonathan Bailey |
| Marital Status | Divorced from Sage Steele (1999–2019) |
| Children | Three children with Sage Steele |
| Career Decision | Stepped away from his career to raise their children |
| Educational Background | Met Steele during college |
| Known For | Former spouse of ESPN anchor Sage Steele |
| Years Together | 27 years total; 20 years married |
| Media Presence | Keeps a low public profile |
| Divorce Timing | Occurred shortly before Steele’s ESPN exit |
| Reference | The US Sun |
Steele was negotiating her prime at ESPN at the time. Her career seemed to flow naturally on screen as she balanced hosting duties, SportsCenter, and First Take. In private, however, things were falling apart. Her marriage also ended around the time she was put on leave by ESPN in 2021 for her divisive remarks on political issues and COVID-19 regulations. In a 2023 interview, Steele reflected on this dual upheaval, calling it “a huge low point” and acknowledging that she was dealing with three intensely personal issues at once.
Her recognition of those years is remarkably candid. “Without my faith, I wouldn’t be standing here today,” she said to the EWTN Global Catholic Network. High-profile broadcasters rarely exhibit this level of emotional openness, particularly those who have been taught to remain composed in the face of personal turmoil. However, Steele gave the public a behind-the-scenes look, which helped people relate to her more, particularly those who have had to start over after long-term relationships end.
Bailey’s story is representative of a larger pattern that is especially noticeable among public figures’ partners. In essence, his choice is similar to that of men like Max Handelman, the producer and spouse of actress Elizabeth Banks, who took on domestic duties while his spouse pursued a more well-known career. These connections, which are based on quiet understanding and unseen work, go against long-held beliefs about gender and professional paths.
Steele’s story resonates deeply in the current era, as more women openly discuss their experiences navigating breakups, co-parenting, and late-stage personal reinvention. Steele’s transition from emotional adversity to personal clarity feels both modern and inspirational, much like what Kelly Clarkson went through following her well-publicized divorce. But rather than being a celebrity spectacle, her story is based on a spiritual and familial recalibration.
Steele has made a change and is now engaged to reputable businessman Dave Barbuto. She wrote, “Finding your person can take some time.” “Decades, perhaps.” That feeling, which is a mixture of introspection and optimism, suggests that her future will be shaped by the things she keeps creating rather than by the things she lost.
Steele’s journey illuminates the unsaid decisions that go into the bright glow of television, including her decades-long relationship with Bailey. It serves as a reminder that even in the face of private turmoil, public lives continue to change—quietly, meaningfully, and purposefully—and that resilience frequently comes from people you don’t see very often. It also serves as a reminder that love can change rather than end.
