ESPN Cuts Robert Griffin III, Sam Ponder

ESPN has announced the termination of on-air personalities Robert Griffin III and Sam Ponder, citing financial reasons as the driving factor behind the decision. Both were informed of their layoffs on August 15, 2024, as part of a broader cost-cutting strategy before the end of the fiscal year on September 30. Griffin had two years remaining on his contract while Ponder was in the last year of hers; both will be compensated according to their contracts. Their departures come as ESPN has recently hired Jason Kelce to host Monday Night Countdown, indicating a shift in the network's talent roster. Ponder, who had been with ESPN since 2006, faced backlash over her conservative views, raising questions about the influence of political opinions on her termination. This latest move follows a trend of significant layoffs at ESPN, including other notable figures in the past year.