ESPN Analyst Sarah Spain Faces Intense Backlash Over JD Vance Comments
ESPN has been urged to dismiss female analyst Sarah Spain following a fierce backlash against her recent remarks about US Vice President JD Vance. The controversy erupted after Spain claimed she felt physically unwell while sitting near Vance during the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, describing him in extreme terms that have sparked widespread condemnation.
Podcast Remarks Spark Immediate Controversy
Sarah Spain, a 45-year-old contributor to espnW and veteran of ESPN productions including 'Around the Horn,' detailed her experience covering the women's hockey match between the United States and Czechia on her podcast 'Good Game with Sarah Spain.' During the February 5 event, Spain described seeing security personnel and political figures arrive at the venue.
'Twelve minutes into the first period, that area suddenly is awash with large men in suits with earpieces. And here comes JD Vance carrying a child and a bunch of security, and eventually Marco Rubio,' Spain recounted on her program. Her subsequent comments would ignite the firestorm: 'When I see JD Vance's eyeliner face, I literally feel ill. I feel like I just looked at a demon, like the Devil.'
Spain elaborated further, stating: 'And I don't even believe in that, but my body felt like when you've been spooked and you have a little tingle that feels like, "ooh, something's not right."' The Emmy- and Peabody Award-winning journalist also complained that the Secret Service detail was 'blocking half the ice. We're trying to watch a hockey game.'
Social Media Erupts With Calls for Dismissal
The response on social media platforms was immediate and severe, with numerous critics demanding ESPN take disciplinary action against Spain. One furious X user declared: 'ESPN should fire Sarah Spain for posting pictures of VP Vance's kids. ESPN will likely do nothing.'
Conservative commentator and Outkick founder Clay Travis weighed in strongly, posting: 'This is not how a mentally healthy or sane person responds to seeing someone they disagree with politically with their kids at a sporting event.' The sentiment found widespread agreement across the platform.
'I don't know, Clay, I want to throw up whenever I see Sarah Spain…,' one person replied to Travis's commentary about the situation. Another commenter stated bluntly: 'That's over the line. No excuse for that behavior, period,' while a different user claimed 'there's a reason she's not relevant anymore.'
Perhaps the most pointed criticism came from another social media user who wrote: 'I can't imagine being such a vile and hateful person and still be able to function, Sarah Spain. What is WRONG with you??'
Subsequent Encounter and Political Context
At a later hockey game featuring the United States versus Canada, Spain encountered Vance again, this time accompanied by controversial YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. '[Vance] brought a little demon friend, Jake Paul. Talk about only the finest people representing America,' Spain remarked on her podcast.
She continued expressing frustration: 'I was so freaking annoyed. And if I thought I was annoyed just from them being there, my simmer turned into a boil when the Italian press in front of us insisted on standing up after every single goal so that they could gawk at JD Vance and Jake Paul.'
Spain's criticism of Vance extended beyond personal reactions to his policy positions. She specifically condemned his statements regarding Alex Pretti, the protestor fatally shot by US Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis on January 24. 'This human being, allegedly, with demon energy, is slandering a dead man who was shot in the back while helping a woman and was not fighting and was not dangerous,' Spain asserted.
Vance had reposted a social media statement from White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller that described Pretti as 'an assassin' who 'tried to murder federal agents.' In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Vance refused to apologize for endorsing Miller's statement, responding 'For what?' when asked if he would apologize to Pretti's family.
The Vice President added: 'If something is determined that the guy who shot Alex Pretti did something bad, then a lot of consequences are going to flow from that. We'll let that happen. I don't think it's smart to prejudge the investigation.'
Spain's ESPN Career and Current Position
Sarah Spain has worked for ESPN in various capacities since 2010, appearing on numerous programs including 'First Take,' 'Olbermann,' 'Mike & Mike' and 'The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz.' She launched what she describes as the first and only daily women's sports podcast, 'Good Game with Sarah Spain,' in July 2024. The show received recognition with a nomination for 'Best Sports Podcast' at the 2025 Ambies Awards for Excellence in Audio.
The award-winning journalist continues to cover the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina amid the growing controversy surrounding her comments about the US Vice President. As calls for her dismissal intensify across social media platforms, the situation presents a significant challenge for ESPN management regarding how to address an employee's controversial political commentary while covering a major international sporting event.
