In a shocking move, ESPN is shaking up its football coverage weeks before the season starts.
On Thursday, The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported ESPN has fired analyst Robert Griffin III and “NFL Countdown” host Samantha Ponder. Sources told Marchand the move was made for budgetary reasons, as both personalities made more than seven figures annually.
Griffin was an analyst for “Monday Night Countdown” before being replaced by former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce this offseason. He also called college football games with play-by-play man Bob Wischusen and appeared on other ESPN shows.
Marchand noted Griffin’s stock with the network had dipped. The 2011 Heisman winner often speaks his mind on social media and occasionally disagrees with other ESPN pundits. Perhaps that’s one reason he fell out of favor with the network.
On Tuesday, Griffin called out analysts poking fun at Florida State for missing the College Football Playoff last season. It’s worth noting longtime ESPN college football commentator Paul Finebaum had previously ribbed the Seminoles on “First Take.”
Ponder, meanwhile, mainly works during the NFL season, which may have made her more expendable. ESPN typically reserves that schedule for bigger personalities, such as Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Peyton Manning. Mike Greenberg or Laura Rutledge may replace her.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if either lands another gig at some point. Griffin has a large following on X (2.2 million followers), and Fox Sports was courting him last season before hiring former Alabama running back Mark Ingram II via Marchand. Ponder had been with ESPN since 2011 and previously worked as a host and reporter for Fox Sports.
Firing two personalities shortly before the college football and NFL seasons start isn’t a great look for ESPN. It could signal that the network is in a state of flux.
