2 Major Names Fired During ESPN Shakeup: Report

Two major names were reportedly fired by ESPN on Thursday (August 15).

Sunday NFL Countdown host Sam Ponder and former NFL quarterback turned analyst Robert Griffin III were included in the latest round of firings involving on-air talent due to financial reasons, the Athletic's Andrew Marchand reported. Both Ponder and Griffin were reportedly notified of their terminations early Thursday morning.

Ponder, 38, who joined the network in 2011 and had served as the host of Sunday NFL Countdown since 2017, replacing legendary ESPN host Chris Berman, was entering the final year of a three-year contract reported to be worth more than $3 million, sources confirmed to Marchand, who said NFL Live host Laura Rutledge and Get Up host Mike Greenberg were potential replacements for the now vacant role. Griffin, 34, who was previously seen as a rising star within the company, had two years remaining on his contract.

The former Heisman Trophy winner was reportedly strongly considered for ESPN's No. 2 college football game analyst last season, which instead went to Greg McElroy and had been demoted from Monday Night Countdown pregame show following the hiring of former Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro center Jason Kelce as his replacement.

FOX Sports had previously shown interest in Griffin throughout his broadcasting career, which included considering him as a successor to fellow former Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush on Big Noon Kickoff, a role that went to fellow Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram II.