Fired ESPN Host Makes Opinion On Kirk Herbstreit Very Clear originally appeared on The Spun.
A former ESPN host who was let go by the network has made her opinion on Kirk Herbstreit extremely clear.
Sam Ponder, a former ESPN “Sunday NFL Countdown” host who previously worked as an on-air reporter for “College GameDay,” was let go by the network prior to the 2024 football season. Ponder, who was reportedly making about $1 million per year, was let go for financial reasons, according to ESPN. However, some close to Ponder believe that her politics – she leans right on many issues – played a role.
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“I don’t believe that anything is just budget cuts anymore,” former NFL sideline reporter Michele Tafoya said. “I think that they clearly wanted to find an off-ramp for Sam. What’s troubling to me is the timing. This is three weeks before the NFL season begins. Her show ‘Sunday NFL Countdown’ is coming off its best ratings year in quite some time, so I don’t know why they would do this so close to the season and bring so much attention, unless they want to bring in the next host and give that host a lot of attention. But what Sam said in that tweet was so reasonable.”
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 1: (L-R) Desmond Howard, Rece Davis, Nick Saban, Pat McAfee, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit of ESPN College GameDay appear on set before the Rose Bowl between Ohio State Buckeyes and Oregon Ducks at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 1, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)Ric Tapia/Getty Images
Ponder, who lives in New York City with her kids, has been enjoying her time off, staying busy with her husband, former NFL quarterback Christian Ponder, and her three children.
The former NFL host has been opening up about things on social media, too. She made her feelings on former “College GameDay” coworker Kirk Herbstreit very clear.
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Ponder revealed that she was texting with Herbstreit on the day she was fired. The two are close.
“Do you ever talk to the college gameday guys anymore?” a fan asked Ponder.
She responded: “David Pollack is stuck with me as the big brother I never (jk) wanted, and I was texting with Kirk Herbstreit the day before I got fired. 🤣 Rece Davis is my forever favorite. I’ll never forget how all 3 of them loved Jesus and treated people. I will be a college gameday fan as long as they continue to make it about the people. It’s such a special show.”
Sam Ponder on ESPN.Ponder/IG
It’s cool to see that Ponder is still close with the “College GameDay” crew despite being ousted by ESPN.
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ESPN’s “College GameDay” will return to the airwaves on Saturday, Aug. 30, when Ohio State hosts Texas in Columbus.
Fired ESPN Host Makes Opinion On Kirk Herbstreit Very Clear first appeared on The Spun on Jun 24, 2025
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.