Sports media layoffs never get easier, and no one is safe. ESPN's latest round of dismissals confirmed this harsh reality of the industry.
The Disney-owned network fired "NFL Countdown" host Sam Ponder and analyst Robert Griffin III on Thursday, as reported by The Athletic's Andrew Marchand .
Ponder has been with ESPN since 2011, first working as a college football and basketball reporter. In March 2017, she became the host of the network's Sunday morning NFL pregame show, also contributing to NFL interviews and features on the side.
Here's everything you need to know about ESPN's layoff of the "NFL Countdown" leading lady, including potential replacements.
MORE: Why did ESPN fire Robert Griffin III?
Why was Sam Ponder fired by ESPN?
Thursday's layoffs of Ponder and Griffin were for financial reasons, per Marchand — both Ponder and Griffin made more than seven figures annually. Because Ponder's sole position at the network was hosting "NFL Countdown," she spent the rest of the year off for the most part.
As ESPN's fiscal year comes to a close in the end of September, the decision was made that the network could no longer afford to keep both reporters on staff. Ponder has yet to comment on her release.
Potential candidates to replace Sam Ponder on 'NFL Countdown'
With Ponder's run as "NFL Countdown" host coming to an end after seven seasons, the network has not announced any plans to discontinue the show. That leaves an open position for ESPN to fill.
Here are potential candidates from within ESPN who could replace Ponder on the Sunday morning pregame show, though no rumors are circulating just yet.
Laura Rutledge
Laura Rutledge is the host of "NFL Live," ESPN's year-round weekday NFL news and information show. She joined the network in 2014 as a reporter, eventually being named host of "SEC Nation," which she leads in addition to her NFL duties.
Rutledge's NFL experience extends to sideline reporting as well as contributing to Pro Bowl and NFL Draft coverage for ESPN. Her resume, professionalism and expertise pertaining to the league make her a prime candidate to take over Ponder's position.
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Mike Greenberg
For nearly three decades, Mike Greenberg has moved around ESPN in various roles including hosting his own radio show ("Mike & Mike," with Mike Golic) and anchoring ESPNEWS and "SportsCenter."
He has hosted ESPN's morning show "Get Up" since its inception in 2018, and he was also nabbed to lead "NBA Countdown" in 2021. Additionally, Greenberg expands on his "Get Up" takes during his current radio show, "Greeny," which he has headed on ESPN Radio since 2020.
With years of experience in many different areas across the network, Greenberg is also an option for ESPN to turn to for "NFL Countdown."
Michelle Beisner-Buck
Primarily serving ESPN as an NFL features reporter since 2014, Michelle Beisner-Buck previously spent two seasons with "NFL Countdown" and her stories appear in both the Sunday and Monday editions of the show.
Though she is known more for her writing now, Beisner-Buck was a studio host and field reporter for the NFL Network from 2006 to 2014 prior to joining ESPN. Rutledge and Greenberg may be more likely to replace Ponder, but Beisner-Buck certainly has the experience to take over the position.
Mina Kimes
Since joining ESPN The Magazine in 2014, Mina Kimes has been a Swiss army knife for the network, serving as an NFL analyst, senior writer, podcast host and television contributor.
Kimes has appeared on "NFL Live" since 2020 and offers additional football analysis on "Get Up," "SportsCenter," "First Take," "Around the Horn" and more. She is also a leader in the podcasting department, hosting "The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny" since 2019.
The award-winning journalist is one of ESPN's most knowledgable NFL experts and would have no trouble taking over the "NFL Countdown" post if hired, despite her primary focus being analysis.
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Scott Van Pelt
Scott Van Pelt joined ESPN in 2001 as the network's lead golf reporter and has assumed a number of roles throughout the years. He has hosted the midnight edition of "SportsCenter" since 2015 and "Monday Night Countdown" since 2023.
While also contributing to the network's golf coverage and leading ESPN's weekly "SVPod" podcast, it may be difficult for Van Pelt to fit the Sunday pregame show into his busy schedule. Nevertheless, he would make a great host for "NFL Countdown" as he already handles the show's Monday edition.
Malika Andrews
A rising star at ESPN, Malika Andrews joined the network in 2018 and broke through as an NBA sideline reporter during the 2019-20 playoffs which took place inside the bubble during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She now hosts "NBA Today" and all editions of "NBA Countdown." With little NFL experience, it's unlikely Andrews will be tabbed to lead the Sunday pregame show, but her profile is skyrocketing and it wouldn't be surprising if the network took advantage of her talents in more ways than one.
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