In a stunning transfer, ESPN is shaking up its soccer protection weeks earlier than the season begins.
On Thursday, The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported ESPN has fired analyst Robert Griffin III and “NFL Countdown” host Samantha Ponder. Sources instructed Marchand the transfer was made for budgetary causes, as each personalities made greater than seven figures yearly.
Griffin was an analyst for “Monday Evening Countdown” earlier than being changed by former Philadelphia Eagles middle Jason Kelce this offseason. He additionally referred to as faculty soccer video games with play-by-play man Bob Wischusen and appeared on different ESPN reveals.
Marchand famous Griffin’s inventory with the community had dipped. The 2011 Heisman winner typically speaks his thoughts on social media and infrequently disagrees with different ESPN pundits. Maybe that is one cause he fell out of favor with the community.
On Tuesday, Griffin called out analysts poking fun at Florida State for lacking the Faculty Soccer Playoff final season. It is value noting longtime ESPN faculty soccer commentator Paul Finebaum had beforehand ribbed the Seminoles on “First Take.”
Ponder, in the meantime, primarily works through the NFL season, which can have made her extra expendable. ESPN sometimes reserves that schedule for greater personalities, akin to Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Peyton Manning. Mike Greenberg or Laura Rutledge might substitute her.
It would not be a shock if both lands one other gig sooner or later. Griffin has a big following on X (2.2 million followers), and Fox Sports activities was courting him final season earlier than hiring former Alabama operating again Mark Ingram II through Marchand. Ponder had been with ESPN since 2011 and beforehand labored as a bunch and reporter for Fox Sports activities.
Firing two personalities shortly earlier than the school soccer and NFL seasons begin is not an important search for ESPN. It may sign that the community is in a state of flux.
