ESPN Fires Robert Griffin III, Sam Ponder in Cost-Cutting Moves: Sources

ESPN has fired “Sunday NFL Countdown” host Samantha Ponder and analyst Robert Griffin III, according to sources familiar with the moves. The athlete Thursday.

The decisions were made for financial reasons as ESPN approaches the end of its fiscal year in late September, according to a source familiar with the matter. Both Ponder and Griffin have made more than seven figures. A source familiar with the decision said both were informed of ESPN’s decision Thursday morning. Griffin and Ponder did not respond to requests for comment. The athleteRequests for comment, but Griffin This step has been mentioned in posts on X..

“I want to thank the many people who have helped me grow during my time at ESPN because they are among the best in the business… Thank you to everyone who has supported my family during my playing days and my broadcasting career so far.” He wrote.

Ponder is entering the final season of a three-year deal worth more than $3 million, sources familiar with her contract said. She has only served in the prestigious role of host of “Sunday NFL Countdown” and has been largely off the grid for the rest of the year. ESPN typically reserves those types of schedules for stars like Joe Backes, Troy Aikman and Peyton Mannings.

“NFL Live” host Laura Rutledge and “Get Up” host Mike Greenberg are likely replacements for Bonder, with Greenberg considered the favorite, according to sources familiar with the network’s internal conversations.

The Ponder and Griffin buyouts are the only moves ESPN is making at this point, but it could opt to shed more payroll by the end of September. Still, the cuts aren’t expected to be anywhere near the cuts that saw about 20 big names cut last June, including cornerbacks Jeff Van Gundy, Susie Kolber and Jalen Rose.

Griffin, who until last year was seen as a rising star at ESPN, had two years left on his contract. He was hired three years ago after receiving interest from Fox Sports and ESPN. At the time, sources at both networks hailed what they called one of the best auditions they had ever seen.

He was widely considered as ESPN’s second college football analyst with Sean McDonough last season, but the job went to Greg McElroy.

ESPN declined to comment.

As Griffin’s stock has fallen, he’s a prime candidate to be let go. While his seven-figure annual salary will still be respectable, his role has diminished to the point that ESPN has decided not to keep him.

The first real sign that Griffin was off the roster came when he was removed from Monday Night Countdown, the main pregame show he had been on for two years. ESPN hired Jason Kelce this offseason to replace Griffin.

Last season, Griffin also served on one of ESPN’s top college broadcast teams, working with player Bob Wisshausen.

Over the years, Fox Sports has shown interest in Griffin. When it sought a successor to Reggie Bush on its pregame “Big Noon Kickoff” show, Griffin was at the top of the list, but it chose another Heisman winner, Mark Ingram II.

Griffin is active on social media, where he has been involved in a range of issues, including when ESPN was controversial. Ponder doesn’t have as many social media posts as Griffin, but he has occasionally weighed in on transgender athletes and other politically charged issues.

In 2017, Bonder had the honor of replacing the legendary Chris Berman on “Countdown.”

Berman, perhaps the most prominent on-air personality in the network’s history, stepped aside, to be replaced by Ponder. She had little NFL experience, having worked her way up the ranks at ESPN as a mainstay on its popular pregame show, “College Game Day.”

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(Photo: Peter Jonellet/Getty Images)