ESPN fires Sam Ponderthe host of the flagship Sunday NFL Countdown. Read our column on what likely led to her firing Here.
The broadcaster must find a replacement for Ponder immediately. There are only three weeks left until the start of the NFL season.
Laura Rutledge is the obvious choice. She already hosts “NFL Live,” one of the few studio shows growing during the week. At 35, Rutledge is someone who can be ESPN’s first “face of the NFL” since the network fired Chris Berman in 2016. Berman’s successors, Ponder and Suzy Kolber, always felt like placeholders.
Rutledge is known internally as someone who keeps her head down and doesn’t piss off executives. She’s Maria Taylor without the drama, pushy motherhood, nastiness and race-baiting. Need a refresher on Taylor?
But there is no group that thinks more about itself than the decision-makers on television, so Rutledge is not a sure-fire success.
NEW ORLEANS – ESPN Monday Night Football sideline reporter Laura Rutledge takes a live shot before a game between the Miami Dolphins and the New Orleans Saints at Caesar’s Superdome on Dec. 27, 2021. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Agents are probably already trying to sell ESPN on “diversity,” a code word for promoting people to positions they aren’t worthy of. Possible DEI candidates for “Sunday Countdown” include Kevin Negandhi and Elle Duncan.
ESPN might want someone like Duncan to anchor if the election spills over into football season. No one better at offering uninformed views on Project 2025 and how a democracy works than Elle Duncan.
Unlike Mina Kimes, who can’t concentrate while Tim Walz continues to radiate his masculinity. Seriously. That’s what she said. But don’t worry. ESPN is still trying to convince viewers that Kimes is a “football commentator” and not a host.
Speaking of roles, sources have told OutKick that Ryan Clark is pushing for more hosting duties. You’d think the network would have scrapped that idea by now, considering Clark’s issues with the teleprompter as host of “Inside the NFL” on the CW.
But, oh no.
ESPN re-signed Clark this year after he complained on social media that the network wasn’t paying him what he was worth. In reality, Clark was demanding around $4 million a year – well above his market value.
Clark eventually signed for $2 million a year with the help of NFL agent David Mulugheta, whose clients Clark defends in return. Read more Here.
We asked Clark about his interest in the reopening, but in March he told the author of this article to “never” contact him again.
Scott Van Pelt is another option. He already hosts “Monday Night Countdown,” and since the show travels less frequently, it seems he could pull double duty. Granted, Van Pelt is more valuable hosting “SportCenter” on Sunday nights after the games end.
Veteran Steve Levy was bounced around the NFL division for nearly a decade and recently lost his role as live commentator for the “B” package. Levy is a better host than game commentator.
However, in 2024, it is risky to promote a 59-year-old white man.
(Too bad Trey Wingo is no longer around to tell us why Harrison Butker is more trouble than the many NFL players who commit violent crimes…)
Hannah Storm would take Ponder’s job. Of course she would.
Storm fills in for Rutledge on NFL Live when Rutledge is on the road covering college football. In many ways, Storm is the opposite of Sam Ponder. While Ponder, like 72 percent of registered voters, opposes men playing sports with women, Storm spoke about her appreciation for Lia Thomas two years ago during Women’s History Month.
For context: Thomas is a self-identified trans man who competed against female swimmers in the NCAA. Storm sees Thomas as a trailblazer for women’s sports.
Check this out:
Shudder.
The last name worth mentioning is Mike Greenberg. Greenberg is arguably ESPN’s most experienced anchor. He already hosts the NFL Draft. Many Countdown viewers will remember him from his time as co-host of Mike & Mike.
However, Greenberg just finished hosting NBA Countdown. Is he looking to take on another role in addition to his pre-game, high-rated weekday “Get Up”?
After all, ESPN doesn’t have time to hire someone from outside before the season starts — say, Kay Adams or Colleen Wolfe. And neither Adams nor Wolfe would bring anything unique to the network compared to what it already has.
Laura Ruteldge is the best option here.
This means ESPN will likely give the job to Stephen A. Smith.
Not really. But he is in a contract year…
