ESPN lays off ‘NFL Sunday Countdown’ host Sam Ponder and football analyst Robert Griffin III
As a long-time sports enthusiast and follower of the ever-evolving landscape of broadcasting, I find myself both surprised and saddened by the recent developments at ESPN regarding Samantha Ponder and Robert Griffin III.
According to a source who’s privy to the matter but can’t discuss it openly, Samantha Ponder and Robert Griffin III from “NFL Sunday Countdown” have reportedly been let go by ESPN.
The decision was described as a financial maneuver taken as the network approaches the end of its fiscal year. Griffin and Ponder will both receive their outstanding payments according to the terms of their contracts. Griffin has two more years left on his contract, while it’s speculated that Ponder is in her final year of the agreement. Both are known to have earned salaries in the seven-figure range annually.
At present, no further job reductions are taking place. However, there might be a few more adjustments to be made by the end of September, but nothing on the scale of the layoffs in June 2023, such as when ESPN let go around 20 prominent commentators, is anticipated.
On Thursday, Ponder and Griffin were made aware of the decision. As of now, Ponder hasn’t spoken publicly about it, but Griffin, in a nod to the film “Friday,” initially expressed his reaction on X by sharing a GIF containing the quote, “Even when you get fired, they can’t take your day off!”
Later in the day, Griffin wrote a lengthy post thanking his ESPN colleagues and viewers.
“He expressed gratitude for numerous individuals during his ESPN tenure who contributed significantly to his development, as they are among the finest in the industry. From the broadcast booth, studio, and particularly those behind the scenes – the unsung heroes often overlooked by viewers. These individuals are truly the MVPs, giving up significant family time to make sure people like me on camera have a chance to excel.”
It’s not always apparent, but everything I’ve achieved would be impossible without your support, dear fans. A big thank you goes out to each one of you who has stood by my side during both my playing years and my broadcasting career up until now. Your backing means the world to me and my family.
In 2011, Ponder first joined ESPN, where she began her career as a sideline reporter. Later, she contributed to both “College Football Live” and “College GameDay”. Her impressive work led to her appointment as the host of “Sunday NFL Countdown” in 2017.
As a seasoned football analyst and former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Baylor, I stepped into the world of sports broadcasting at ESPN in 2021. Since then, I’ve been gracing the airwaves with my insights on both college and professional football games every week. Starting from 2022, I’ve also become a valued member of the “Monday Night Countdown” team, contributing to their pre-game show discussions.
In this off-season, ESPN has welcomed recently retired Philadelphia Eagles center, Jason Kelce, onto their “Monday Night Countdown” crew.
On Friday morning, another post by Griffin on X suggested he may have already found his next gig.
“When one door closes, another one opens,” he wrote. “Trust God on your journey.”
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2024-08-16 20:03