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

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

Ponder and Robert Griffin III were surprisingly fired by ESPN last week in cost-cutting measures, with The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reporting that both were earning at least $1million per year.

Now, as announced by ESPN on Tuesday, Greenberg is stepping into Ponder’s seat on ‘Sunday NFL Countdown’ – the network’s weekly pregame football show.

The Athletic reported that Laura Rutledge, the host of daily ESPN show ‘NFL Live’, was also a candidate for the position.

While ESPN let go of Ponder and Griffin for financial reasons with the fiscal year approaching in September, the former was also reportedly fired to allow Greenberg to be promoted.

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

The 47-year-old former radio host of the extremely successful ‘Mike and Mike’ now anchors the daily show ‘Get Up.’

He’s also hosted the network’s NFL Draft coverage for the last three years.

Notably, ESPN will broadcast a Super Bowl for the first time in 2027, and according to The Athletic the network is ‘designing its weekly sets’ with that future game in mind.

‘Sunday NFL Countdown’ will return on September 8, with 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 reportedly made $1million+ per year

That show includes Scott Van Pelt as host with Ryan Clark and Marcus Spears as well.

Three days after being relieved of his duties, Griffin took to social media to thank his fanbase for their support.

‘As I sit here with my family on this beautiful day, we are overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support from you guys over the last past 72+ hours,’ he wrote on X .

‘YOU GUYS ARE THE ABSOLUTE BEST.’