Sportscaster Sam Ponder, one of the only ESPN broadcasters to publicly defend fairness in women’s sports, was terminated due to “financial reasons,” according to an ESPN statement.
Ponder, who has yet to speak out officially on her termination, was let go alongside co-worker Robert Griffin, III.
Women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines insinuated on X (formerly Twitter) that the network opted to fire Ponder for her beliefs on fairness in women’s sports.
“So ESPN fires Sam Ponder, the only woman on the network who [has] publicly said men don’t belong in women’s sports. 3 weeks before football season?” Gaines tweeted. “Sam is one of the most beautiful, genuine women I’ve ever met along with Sage Steele who had a similar fate… not a coincidence.”
Gaines was referencing Steele’s departure from ESPN in 2023. Steele left the network after both sides settled a lawsuit she filed. Steele was taken off the air in October 2021 for comments she made about ESPN’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
Steele posted an emotional video to X saying she was excited for Ponder’s future following her termination.
“This is another loss for ESPN, but it is a gain for literally the rest of the world because now you’re going to see the true Sam Ponder,” Steele said. “It’s all going to come out, and I hope you’re ready. She is a gem.”
“While I was still at ESPN, we would talk about [our faith] all the time. And I just need everyone to know, this is a brilliant woman, an incredible mother who’s also made me an incredible mother, who’s also made me a better mother,” Steele continued. “I’m so excited for her future. It’s so scary when you’re in it; you don’t know if you’re going to ever be okay.”
