Few people are wholly safe from ESPN's budgetary chopping block.
On Thursday, the latest high-profile names learned of their fate at Disney's sports and entertainment titan.
Robert Griffin III, the former Baylor star quarterback who won a Heisman Trophy and became the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft, was fired with a full two years on his ESPN contract left, according to Andrew Marchand of The Athletic.
The outlet additionally reported that Sam Ponder was out.
Ponder has hosted the network's widely popular Sunday NFL Countdown program, as well as worked as a sideline reporter at both the NFL and collegiate levels.
She's married to former NFL First Round Draft pick Christian Ponder and had been in the ESPN family of networks for the past 13 years.
ESPN in recent years has committed significant money to Stephen A. Smith, Pat McAfee and Scott Van Pelt but has pared down its staff of both broadcast and print journalists.
Earlier this year, the network hired former All-Pro NFL offensive lineman Jason Kelce to join its NFL coverage for the coming season after Kelce retired following a decorated career.
Much like McAfee, Kelce has risen to broadcasting notoriety through his podcast, "New Heights," that he co-hosts with his brother, Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce.
Sam Ponder and Robert Griffin III have been fired by ESPN, according to sources.
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) August 15, 2024
These are budget moves. These are the only two being let go as ESPN ends its fiscal year.
Story in progress and being updated here: https://t.co/imlI4S4FEc