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Robert Griffin III and Sam Ponder out at ESPN in a shocking move.
On Thursday, The Athetic’s Andrew Marchand reported that Griffin was fired despite having two years left on his contract.
Via The Athletic
ESPN has fired Robert Griffin III, sources briefed on the decision told The Athletic on Thursday.
Griffin, who as recently as last year had been viewed as a rising star at ESPN, had two years remaining on his contract. He was hired three years ago after gaining interest from Fox Sports and ESPN. At the time, sources at both networks raved about what they described as one of the best auditions they have ever seen.
Marchand reveals that Ponder and RG3 had been fired due to budget cuts at ESPN.
ESPN has fired “NFL Countdown” host Sam Ponder and analyst Robert Griffin III, sources briefed on the moves told The Athletic.
Both moves were made for financial reasons as ESPN nears the end of its fiscal year at the end of September, according to a source briefed on the matter. Both Ponder and Griffin made more than seven figures annually.
It is worth noting that ESPN is currently negotiating a large contract with Stephen A. Smith.
It was last reported that ESPN had offered Smith $18 million a year which he turned down.