ESPN has fired “Sunday NFL Countdown” host Samantha Ponder and analyst Robert Griffin III, sources briefed on the moves told The Athletic on Thursday.
The decisions were made for financial reasons as ESPN nears the conclusion of its fiscal year at the end of September, per a source briefed on the matter. Both Ponder and Griffin made more than seven figures. Each was informed of ESPN’s decision Thursday morning, a source briefed on the decision said. Neither Griffin nor Ponder responded to The Athletic’s requests for comment.
Advertisement
Ponder was entering the final season of a three-year deal worth more than $3 million, sources briefed on her contract said.