ESPN Shocker: The Worldwide Leader in Sports Fires Robert Griffin III and Samantha Ponder
The sports world was shocked today to learn that ESPN fired NFL Countdown host Sam Ponder and football analyst Robert Griffin III just weeks before the 2024-2025 NFL season was supposed to kick off.
According to a report from The Athletic, both moves were made for financial reasons as ESPN nears the end of its fiscal year.
Photo: Minute Media
Ponder and Griffin both reportedly made seven figures annually.
Griffin Was Seen as a Rising Star
The news of Griffin’s departure comes just months after ESPN replaced the former quarterback on Monday Night Countdown with Jason Kelce. In addition to his work on the primetime NFL presentation, however, Griffin also served on ESPN’s top college football broadcasts alongside play-by-play announcer Bob Wischusen.
Photo: USA today
When the former Baylor star joined ESPN just three years ago, the Worldwide Leader in Sports saw his hiring as a coup. Now, the network has dismissed Griffin, who has two years left on his contract.
Ponder, meanwhile, was exclusively the host of NFL Countdown. Reports suggest that she, too, was in the middle of her contract.
Photo: Touchdown Wire
At this time, it remains to be seen who will fill Ponder’s role on NFL Countdown. The Athletic, however, has suggested Mike Greenberg or Laura Rutledge.
ESPN Made Similar Moves Last Year
This is not the first time that ESPN has let high-profile talent go. Last year, the network cut ties with a slew of stars, including Keyshown Johnson, Max Kellerman, Suzie Kolber, and Jalen Rose.
Photo: ESPN
ESPN has not commented on the most recent firings.
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