“It’s a shame” – Mike Greenberg reportedly set to be Sunday NFL Countdown’s new host replacing Sam Ponder, fans react

ESPN replacing Sam Ponder with Mike Greenberg has caused an outrage on social media with fans calling the latter overrated.

“It’s a shame” – Mike Greenberg reportedly set to be Sunday NFL Countdown’s new host replacing Sam Ponder, fans react

Mike Greenberg replacing Sam Ponder on Sunday NFL Countdown (Via Variety/NY Post)

ESPN has finally found a replacement for Sam Ponder on ‘Sunday NFL Countdown,’ after she departed the show last week. That’s none other than longtime TV and radio voice Mike Greenberg.

Greenberg as the new host was announced on Tuesday, August 20th, who will be joining Tedy Bruschi, Randy Moss, Rex Ryan, Alex Smith, and Adam Schefter in the studio for the coming 2024 season. 

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Ponder’s exit from the popular show resulted from a collective business decision made by the network’s end-of-fiscal-year planning, as The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported. Interestingly, football analyst Robert Griffin III was also fired alongside Ponder. This decision came as a surprise for everyone, given that Ponder was set to earn $1 million this year– which is still said to be made in full. 

ESPN made the move to tidy up its books with the fiscal year concluding at the end of September. 
Andrew Marchand reported

There have also been speculations that this move by ESPN was mainly to make room for Greenberg, promptly famous among the network’s executives. He already hosts their multiple daily shows including Get Up and Greeny radio show. According to the reports, ESPN is making significant changes and designing the weekly sets with the 2027 NFL season in mind, when they will broadcast the season for the first time. 

Fans react to Mike Greenberg replacing Sam Ponder

As the news of Greenberg taking over the Sunday NFL Countdown show became public, it received quite a negative response from the fans. They appear to be shunning the show saying it wouldn’t be the same as before. Some even commented on Greenberg’s fondness for the New York Jets and predicted there would be another one hour solely dedicated to the team. 

Sam Ponder
Sam Ponder (image via Instagram)

One fan slammed the new hiring by writing, “Meh…Ponder way better. It’s a shame,” while another criticized the ESPN analyst, writing, “Guy is so overrated. Without Golic he’s a nobody.” Here are some of the fan reactions: 

Fans are clearly upset by the departure of Ponder and RG3, who were a well-appreciated pair. Things have been particularly tough on Griffin III since he was already replaced by Jason Kelce on the ‘Monday NFL Countdown.

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