ESPN fires Robert Griffin III, Sam Ponder in cost-cutting strikes: Sources

ESPN has fired “Sunday NFL Countdown” host Samantha Ponder and analyst Robert Griffin III, sources briefed on the strikes advised The Athletic on Thursday.

The selections had been made for monetary causes as ESPN nears the conclusion of its fiscal 12 months on the finish of September, per a supply briefed on the matter. Each Ponder and Griffin made greater than seven figures. Every was knowledgeable of ESPN’s resolution Thursday morning, a supply briefed on the choice mentioned. Neither Griffin nor Ponder responded to The Athletic’s requests for remark, however Griffin referenced the transfer in posts on X.

“Grateful for thus many individuals in my time at ESPN that helped me develop as a result of they’re among the finest within the enterprise. … THANK YOU to everybody who has supported my household via my taking part in days and broadcast profession up to now,” he wrote.

Ponder was coming into the ultimate season of a three-year deal price greater than $3 million, sources briefed on her contract mentioned. She solely labored within the prestigious position of “Sunday NFL Countdown” host and was mainly off for the remainder of the 12 months. ESPN typically reserves these kinds of schedules for the Joe Bucks, Troy Aikmans and Peyton Mannings of its world.

“NFL Stay” host Laura Rutledge and “Get Up” host Mike Greenberg are potential replacements for Ponder. Greenberg is taken into account the favourite, in response to sources briefed on the community’s inside talks.

The buyouts of Ponder and Griffin are the one strikes ESPN is making in the mean time, but it surely might select to shed extra wage by the tip of September. Nevertheless, the cuts are usually not anticipated to be wherever close to the bloodletting wherein round 20 massive names had been let go final June, together with stalwarts like Jeff Van Gundy, Suzy Kolber and Jalen Rose.

Samantha Ponder attends SiriusXM at Tremendous Bowl LVII in February 2023. (Picture: Cindy Ord / Getty Pictures for SiriusXM)

Griffin, who as not too long ago as final 12 months had been seen as a rising star at ESPN, had two years remaining on his deal. He was employed three years in the past after gaining curiosity from Fox Sports activities and ESPN. On the time, sources at each networks raved about what they described as probably the greatest auditions they’ve ever seen.

He was thought-about strongly to be ESPN’s No. 2 faculty soccer sport analyst with Sean McDonough final season, however the job went to Greg McElroy.

ESPN declined to remark.

Since Griffin’s inventory had fallen, it made him a major candidate to be let go. Whereas his seven-figure per 12 months wage will likely be honored, his position had diminished to a degree the place ESPN determined to not maintain him on.

The primary actual signal Griffin was being dropped within the order was when he was faraway from “Monday Evening Countdown,” the place he had been on the prime pregame present for 2 years. ESPN employed Jason Kelce this offseason to exchange Griffin.

Final season, Griffin additionally served on one in every of ESPN’s prime faculty sport broadcast groups, working with play-by-player Bob Wischusen.

Over time, Fox Sports activities has proven curiosity in Griffin. When it sought to discover a successor to Reggie Bush on its “Large Midday Kickoff” pregame present, Griffin was excessive on its checklist, but it surely went with one other former Heisman winner, Mark Ingram II.

Griffin is lively on social media, chiming in on an array of points, together with when ESPN has had controversies. Ponder doesn’t have the flurry of social media posts like Griffin, however has chimed in at occasions about transgender athletes and different politically charged points.

In 2017, Ponder was given the glory of changing the legendary Chris Berman on “Countdown.”

Berman, maybe essentially the most outstanding on-air individual within the community’s historical past, stepped apart, making manner for Ponder. She didn’t have a lot NFL expertise, having labored her manner up the ESPN ranks by being a mainstay on its iconic pregame present, “Faculty GameDay.”