Samantha Ponder, a former ESPN host, discussed her controversial firing from the network in August 2024 during an appearance on “The Sage Steele Show” podcast, released Wednesday.
She described the reasons for her dismissal as “legit crazy,” pointing to a combination of factors, with her outspoken stance on transgender athletes in women’s sports playing a significant role.
Here are the key reasons:
Opposition to Transgender Athletes in Women’s Sports: Ponder believes her public comments against biological males competing in women’s sports contributed to her exit. She specifically referenced a 2023 tweet supporting a post by the Independent Women’s Forum (IWF) about keeping women’s sports female, and a 2024 tweet during the Olympics regarding boxer Imane Khelif, where she wrote, “ENOUGH is what all of us should be saying!!” after Khelif’s opponent quit a match.
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| Samantha Ponder |
While she doesn’t believe this was the sole reason for her firing, she stated the timing—shortly after her Olympics tweet—“almost certainly” played a part.
Financial and Role Limitations: Ponder acknowledged that her firing wasn’t solely due to her views. She noted that ESPN was undergoing cost-cutting measures as its fiscal year ended in September 2024, and her role was limited to hosting “Sunday NFL Countdown” on Sundays during the NFL season, which amounted to fewer than 20 days of on-air work annually. She was earning over $1 million per year, which was seen as disproportionate to her limited schedule under ESPN’s current leadership, who prioritize high-paid talent working multiple roles. Ponder had turned down opportunities to expand her role due to her commitment to spending time with her three young children, which may have made her a target for layoffs.