ESPN fires Robert Griffin III, Sam Ponder in cost-cutting measures: sources

ESPN has fired “Sunday NFL Countdown” host Samantha Ponder and analyst Robert Griffin III, sources said of the moves The Athletics on Thursday.

The decisions were made for financial reasons as ESPN nears the close of its fiscal year at the end of September, a source briefed on the matter said. Both Ponder and Griffin made more than seven figures. Everyone was informed of ESPN’s decision Thursday morning, according to a source briefed on the decision. Neither Griffin nor Ponder responded The Athletics‘s requests for comment, but Griffin referred to the move in messages on X.

“Grateful for so many people in my time at ESPN who have helped me grow because they are some of the best in the business. … THANK YOU to everyone who has supported my family through my playing days and broadcasting career thus far,” he wrote.

Ponder was entering the final season of a three-year deal worth more than $3 million, according to sources briefed on her contract. She worked alone in the prestigious role of host of “Sunday NFL Countdown” and was essentially off for the rest of the year. ESPN generally reserves these types of schedules for the Joe Bucks, Troy Aikmans and Peyton Mannings of its world.

“NFL Live” host Laura Rutledge and “Get Up” host Mike Greenberg are potential replacements for Ponder. Greenberg is considered the favorite, according to sources briefed on the network’s internal discussions.

The buyouts of Ponder and Griffin are the only moves ESPN is making at this time, but it could choose to shed more salary by the end of September. However, the cuts are not expected to come close to the bloodshed that saw the firing of about 20 big names last June, including stalwarts such as Jeff Van Gundy, Suzy Kolber and Jalen Rose.

Griffin, who was seen as a rising star at ESPN as recently as last year, still had two years left on his term. He was hired three years ago after drawing interest from Fox Sports and ESPN. At the time, sources at both networks raved about what they described as one of the best auditions they had ever seen.

He was heavily considered ESPN’s No. 2 college football game analyst last season under Sean McDonough, but the job went to Greg McElroy.

ESPN declined to comment.

Since Griffin’s stock had fallen, he was a prime candidate to be let go. While his seven-figure annual salary will be honored, his role was so diminished that ESPN decided not to retain him.

The first real sign of Griffin being cut in the order was when he was removed from “Monday Night Countdown,” where he had been on the main pregame show for two years. ESPN hired Jason Kelce this offseason to replace Griffin.

Last season, Griffin was also a member of one of ESPN’s top college game broadcast teams, teaming with play-by player Bob Wischusen.

Over the years, Fox Sports has shown interest in Griffin. When it was looking for a replacement for Reggie Bush on the “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show, Griffin was high on the list, but he went with another former Heisman winner, Mark Ingram II.

Griffin is active on social media and gets involved in a range of issues, including when ESPN has had controversies. Ponder doesn’t have the buzz of social media posts like Griffin, but has occasionally intervened on transgender athletes and other politically charged issues.

In 2017, Ponder was given the honor of replacing the legendary Chris Berman in ‘Countdown’.

Berman, perhaps the most prominent television personality in the network’s history, stepped aside, making way for Ponder. She didn’t have much NFL experience and had worked her way up the ESPN ranks by being a mainstay on the iconic pregame show “College GameDay.”

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