Griffin, Ponder had been with network for multiple years.
Ponder was anchor on “Sunday NFL Countdown” and Giffin was an analyst who appeared on various shows.
The decision to fire Ponder sparked anger on social media platforms. Riley Gaines the host of Outkick;s Gaines for Girls podcast and former ESPN anchor Sage Steele were those to defend Ponder.
Ponder was among the small group of personalities who called for fairness women’s sports amid the ongoing debate over transgender involvement in women sports.
She defended Kansas City Chief’s Harrison Butker for his faith based speed at Benedictine College.
Griffin who played multiple seasons in the NFL joined ESPN in August 2022. He was an analyst on NFL Live and a college football analyst.
He joined Monday Night Countdown in 2022.
Ponder joined ESPN Network in July 2011 and get the higher rank as host of one of company top NFL shows.
Griffin was off of Monday Night Countdown in favor of the network latest hire, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce and was going to get his full pay for a low profile college football show.
Ponder show was Sunday NFL Countdown
.RG3 had been demoted from his role as analyst on Monday NFL Countdown this season after the network hired retired Eagles center Jason Kelce.
He had been working as a color commentator on ESPN’s college football coverage before the stunning move.
Ponder’s and Griffin exits have been characterized as budgetary decisions happening before financial year concludes at end of September.
They had left time on their contracts these moves permit ESPN to write off the expenses right now.
Griffin had been at ESPN for 3 years and had two years left on his deal.
Griffin won the Heisman Trophy in 2011 at Baylor and was 2nd overall pick in 2021 NFL Draft.
He led Washington to first place in NFC East and won the Offensive Rookie of the Year his career was never the same after suffering a torn ACL in a wild card playoff game against the Seahawks.
One potential rapid landing position for Griffin would be NFL Network GameDay Morning studio show as the program still has not hired as replacement for Michael Irvin.