“NFL Sunday Countdown” host Samantha Ponder and football analyst Robert Griffin III have been fired by ESPN, according to a source familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly about it.
The decision was characterized as a business move made as the network's fiscal year nears its end. Ponder and Griffin will receive what they are owed for the remainder of their contracts. Griffin had two years left on his contract, while Ponder is believed to be in the final year of his deal. Both have been reported to have made seven-figure annual salaries.
There have been no other layoffs at this time. While a couple more moves could be made before the end of September, the source said, nothing like what happened in June 2023, when ESPN laid off roughly 20 high-profile commentators, is expected.
Ponder and Griffin were informed of the decision on Thursday. While Ponder has yet to comment publicly, Griffin acknowledged the decision on X, first posting a GIF from the movie “Friday” that includes the quote, “How the hell are they gonna fire you on your day off?”
Later that day, Griffin wrote a lengthy post thanking his ESPN colleagues and viewers.
“I am thankful for so many people who helped me grow in my time at ESPN because they are some of the best in the business,” he wrote. “From the broadcast booth to the studio and ESPECIALLY the people many of you never see behind the camera. They are the TRUE MVPs and they sacrifice so much time with their families just to ensure people like me in front of the camera get a chance to shine. …
“What people sometimes don’t realize is that none of this is possible without you, the FANS. So THANK YOU to everyone who has supported my family throughout my playing days and my broadcasting career thus far.”
Ponder joined ESPN in 2011 as a sideline reporter. She also served as a contributor on “College Football Live” and “College GameDay” before becoming the host of “Sunday NFL Countdown” in 2017.
Griffin, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback at Baylor who spent eight years in the NFL, joined ESPN as a college and pro football analyst in 2021. In addition to calling weekly college football games, he has been part of the “Monday Night Countdown” team since 2022.
This offseason, ESPN added recently retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce to the “Monday Night Countdown” team.
On Friday morning, another post from Griffin on X suggested he may have already found his next job.
“When one door closes, another opens,” she wrote. “Trust God on your path.”
