• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, October 21, 2025

ESPN Cuts Robert Griffin III, Sam Ponder in Cost-Saving Moves

  • Ponder hosted “Sunday NFL Countdown,” while Griffin was replaced by Jason Kelce on “Monday Night Countdown.”
  • The moves are not part of a broader round of job cuts.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

First the insult, then the injury.

Months after ESPN demoted former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III from its Monday Night Countdown team, the network fired him.

Griffin and Sam Ponder, the host of Sunday NFL Countdown, both lost their jobs on Thursday. The news was first reported by The Athletic.

Griffin, who last played in the NFL in 2020, had two years left on his deal. As is usually the case in high-profile talent layoffs, ESPN will still pay out his contract.

A source familiar with the move called it a “straight business decision” aimed at cutting costs. Though both are still owed money on their contracts, there could be offsets in place if either is hired elsewhere. 

Griffin in particular is certain to be in high demand; Fox Sports was said to be interested when he was ultimately hired by ESPN in 2020.

ESPN decided to replace Griffin with Jason Kelce on Countdown months ago. Griffin was set to receive an NFL-level salary while working college games this fall.

After the news broke, Griffin posted a clip from the movie Friday, where John Witherspoon’s character asks Ice Cube: “How the hell are you gonna get fired—on your day off???”

Ponder was a longtime ESPN fixture, starting at the company in 2011 and working her way up to Sunday NFL Countdown host in 2017. She had hosted the show for the last six years. Countdown was slated to be her only role at the network in 2024.

Ponder reportedly agreed to a three-year, $3 million deal in 2022.

Years ago, when ESPN briefly signed the two hosts of the Barstool Sports podcast Pardon My Take to do a show, Ponder pointed out that Barstool had an extensive history of misogyny. More recent, Ponder was accused of “bigotry” for her ill-informed comments about transgender athletes.

Griffin is no stranger to mixing it up on social media, either, and was heavily active on several platforms during the Paris Olympics. He was a world-class hurdler in high school and college before focusing on football full time after his freshman season at Baylor.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NFL Wants to Expand International Slate, Will Evaluate Saudi Arabia

The league is evaluating a mix of new and existing markets for 2026.
Netflix

Netflix Staying on the Sidelines As TNT Sports Parent Seeks Buyer

The streaming giant shows little interest in acquisition possibilities.

The NBA’s $77B Future Starts Tonight 

Seven 2025 NBA All-Stars will miss the start of the season.
Keegan Murray

$20 Million Per Year Becoming New Baseline for NBA Role Players

Christian Braun signed a five-year deal worth $125 million.

Featured Today

Christie's

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 18, 2025

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
Apr 11, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of an NBA basketball and backyard and NBA logo before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Toronto Raptors at the American Airlines Center.

NBA Tries to Solve Fragmentation Issue It Helped Create

A new “Tap to Watch” feature will direct fans to live games.
Aug 30, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Brandon Inniss (1) attempts to make a catch over Texas Longhorns defensive back Graceson Littleton (29) in the first half at Ohio Stadium.
October 16, 2025

SEC Games Help ABC Dominate College Football Ratings at Midseason

Texas–Ohio State on Fox remains the most-watched game of the season.
Mar 12, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; General view of ESPN broadcast camera during a game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena.
October 16, 2025

ESPN’s New NBA Segment Resists Hot Takes

LeBron James tweeted in favor of the new segment.
Sponsored

Michelle Wie West: Women’s Sports Doesn’t Need Charity

The LPGA legend on redefining women’s sports and the future of golf.
Oct 10, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with teammates after game four of the 2025 WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center.
October 14, 2025

WNBA Finals Draws 1.5M Viewers, Second-Highest Series on ESPN

The four-game series averaged 1.5 million viewers.
MLS
October 14, 2025

MLS Publishes Unchecked AI-Generated Game Recaps

Humans are not reviewing the articles for accuracy.
Micah Parsons
exclusive
October 14, 2025

NFL Scorigami Creator Blames Glitches on Twitter Platform Changes

The bot has been glitching all NFL season, and fans have noticed.
Sep 5, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia embraces after their match in the semifinal of the men’s singles at the US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
October 13, 2025

Six Kings Slam Returns With Record $6M Prize, Netflix Deal

The Six Kings Slam is held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.