ESPN has fired “Sunday NFL Countdown” host Samantha Ponder and analyst Robert Griffin III, according to a source. work out On Thursday.
According to sources, the decision was made for financial reasons as ESPN was wrapping up its fiscal year in late September. Ponder and Griffin both earned more than seven figures. According to sources, they were notified of ESPN’s decision Thursday morning. Neither Griffin nor Ponder responded. work out‘ There was a request for comment, but Griffin addressed the fact in X’s post.
“I would like to thank the many people who helped me grow at ESPN, as they are some of the best in the business. … I would like to thank everyone who has supported my family throughout my playing days and my broadcasting career,” he wrote.
Ponder is entering the final season of a three-year contract worth more than $3 million, a source briefed on her contract said. She has basically been off the clock the rest of the year, with only a nominal role as host of “Sunday NFL Countdown.” ESPN typically reserves this type of schedule for the Joe Bucks, Troy Aikmans and Peyton Mannings of the world.
“NFL Live” host Laura Rutledge and “Get Up” host Mike Greenberg are potential replacements for Ponder. Greenberg is seen as the top candidate, according to a source briefed on internal network discussions.
The Ponder and Griffin buyouts are the only moves ESPN is making right now, but it could opt to take even deeper pay cuts by the end of September. But the cuts aren’t expected to be as bloody as the one that was cut in June, when about 20 high-profile players were let go, including key players like Jeff Van Gundy, Suzy Kolber and Jalen Rose.
Samantha Ponder attends Super Bowl LVII on SiriusXM in February 2023. (Photo: Cindy Ord / Getty Images for SiriusXM)
Griffin, who was considered a rising star at ESPN last year, has two years left on his contract. He was hired three years ago after getting interest from Fox Sports and ESPN. Sources at both networks raved about what they described as one of the best auditions they had ever seen.
He was considered a frontrunner for ESPN’s No. 2 college football analyst spot alongside Sean McDonough last season, but that job went to Greg McElroy.
ESPN declined to comment.
Griffin’s stock has fallen, making him a prime candidate for a layoff. His seven-figure salary will be respected, but his role has been diminished to the point where ESPN has decided not to keep him.
The first real sign that Griffin was out of the picture was when he was removed from “Monday Night Countdown,” where he had been the main pregame show for two years. ESPN hired Jason Kelce to replace Griffin this offseason.
Griffin served on ESPN’s premier college broadcast team last season, working with Bob Wishen on player-by-player play-by-play.
Over the years, Fox Sports has shown interest in Griffin. When they were looking to find a replacement for Reggie Bush on their “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show, Griffin was high on the list, but they chose another former Heisman winner, Mark Ingram II.
Griffin is active on social media and has spoken out on a variety of issues, including when ESPN was embroiled in controversy. Ponder, while not as prolific on social media as Griffin, has occasionally expressed her opinion on transgender athletes and other political issues.
In 2017, Ponder had the honor of replacing the legendary Chris Berman on “Countdown.”
Berman, the most prominent broadcaster in network history, stepped down to make way for Ponder, who had little NFL experience and rose through the ranks of ESPN as a key figure on the iconic pregame show, “College GameDay.”
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