Sam Ponder Reveals 'Legit Crazy' Reason For ESPN Firing

Prior to the 2024 NFL season, ESPN announced that it was firing Sam Ponder. There was no real explanation for her departure.

Fans were shocked that ESPN let go of Ponder in large part because she was the host of “Sunday NFL Countdown.” Although ESPN cited budget cuts as its reason for layoffs in August of 2024, Ponder claims there’s a bit more to the story. 

Ponder opened up about her fallout with ESPN during an interview with former “SportsCenter” anchor Sage Steele. She claims her views on transgender athletes played a role in her getting fired.  

“I don’t really think me losing my job was solely because of that, but the timing of it almost certainly was,” Ponder said. “I was told after the fact privately that most people at the top of the company did agree with me on the issue but there is a loud activist group at Disney and they were not happy with me. I can say all that and tell this part of the story and still tell you, Sage, it’s one of the best things that ever happened to me. 

“I was on that hamster wheel and I was not going to jump off on my own. I needed to get kicked off. As much as the part of the reasoning behind it is legit crazy, I feel no bitterness or even frankly sadness. I had a great career, I was 20 years in the business. I met some awesome people and there are still some really great people there. Never thought this would kind of be the way out but should have spoken up a long time before, I should have been a lot more courageous when I knew what was right.”

Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Ponder claims she received an email from ESPN saying they were “uncomfortable” with her talking about transgender women in women’s sports. 

“I was basically trying to give more spotlight, whatever limited spotlight I had, to these girls’ stories, whether it was Riley Gaines or Paula, cause I just felt like I wasn’t seeing it on ‘SportsCenter.’ I honestly didn’t think it was that big of a deal, but when I got the email I knew it was.”

We’ll see if ESPN responds to these claims from Ponder.

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Chris Rosvoglou

Senior writer

Chris Rosvoglou is a veteran sports writer who joined The Spun in 2018. He's a leading producer of sports content with expertise in the NFL, college football, sports media, the NBA, tennis and more.