Robert Griffin III, Sam Ponder Reportedly Fired by ESPN in Budget Changes

NFL analyst Robert Griffin III and “NFL Countdown” host Sam Ponder have been fired by ESPN, according to Andrew Marchand of The Athletic.

The moves are budget-related, according to Marchand, as the network approaches the end of its fiscal year. They are reportedly the only ESPN talent being released at this time, but more decisions could be made before the end of September.

Griffin, who had two years left on his contract, joined ESPN in 2021 to work on their college football and NFL coverage. He was most recently replaced on “Monday Night Countdown” after the network hired recently retired Jason Kelce.

According to Marchand, Griffin was considered a candidate for dismissal after his stock at ESPN fell. The network will pay the remainder of his salary.

Ponder was hired by ESPN in 2011, where she worked as a reporter for college football and basketball broadcasts, and for the Longhorn Network. In 2017, she took over as host of “NFL Countdown.”