NFL analyst Robert Griffin III and “NFL Countdown” host Sam Ponder have been fired from ESPN. According to Andrew Marchand of The Athletic.
According to Marchand, the changes are budget-related as the network nears the end of its fiscal year. They are reportedly the only ESPN talents being let go at this time, but more decisions could be made before the end of September.
Griffin, who had two years remaining on his contract, joined ESPN in 2021 to cover college football and the NFL. He had recently been replaced on “Monday Night Countdown” after the network hired the recently retired Jason Kelce.
According to Marchand, Griffin was considered a candidate for dismissal after his ESPN stock declined. The network will pay the remainder of his salary.
Ponder was hired by ESPN in 2011 and worked as a reporter for college football and basketball broadcasts, as well as for the Longhorn Network. In 2017, she took over as host of “NFL Countdown.”