ESPN replaces Sam Ponder with familiar face as host of ‘Sunday NFL Countdown’

ESPN has announced Sam Ponder’s replacement for ‘Sunday NFL Countdown’: longtime TV and radio voice Mike Greenberg.

Ponder and Robert Griffin III were surprisingly fired by ESPN last week as part of cost-cutting measures, with Andrew Marchand of The Athletic and reported that they both earned at least $1 million a year.

Now, as ESPN announced Tuesday, Greenberg will take Ponder’s place on “Sunday NFL Countdown,” the network’s weekly pre-game football program.

According to The Athletic, Laura Rutledge, host of ESPN’s daily program “NFL Live,” was also a candidate for the position.

While ESPN fired Ponder and Griffin for financial reasons when the fiscal year began in September, the former was also reportedly let go so that Greenberg could be promoted.

She will be replaced on ‘Sunday NFL Countdown’ by Mike Greenberg, it has been announced

The 47-year-old former radio presenter of the hugely successful ‘Mike and Mike’ now presents the daily programme ‘Get Up’.

For the past three years, he also hosted the network’s NFL Draft coverage.

Notably, ESPN will air its first Super Bowl in 2027. According to The Athletic, the network is “designing its weekly sets” with that future contest in mind.

‘Sunday NFL Countdown’ returns on September 8, featuring a cast including Randy Moss, Tedy Bruschi, Rex Ryan, Alex Smith and insider Adam Schefter.

Meanwhile, Griffin has been replaced on ‘Monday NFL Countdown’ by Jason Kelce.

Robert Griffin III was also fired by ESPN last week. He was reportedly making $1 million+ per year

Scott Van Pelt is the host of the show, along with Ryan Clark and Marcus Spears.

Three days after being relieved of his duties, Griffin thanked his fans on social media for their support.

“As I sit here with my family on this beautiful day, we are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support you have received from you over the past 72+ hours,” he wrote on X.

“You really are the best.”