Mike Greenberg to Host ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown After Sam Ponder Exit

After the departure of Sam Ponder from ESPN last week, the company has tabbed a new host for one of its flagship NFL shows.

Mike Greenberg is set to be the new host of ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown, the company announced on Tuesday.

The Athletic's Andrew Marchand reported last week that ESPN fired Ponder and analyst Robert Griffin III "for financial reasons." Ponder reportedly had one year and more than $1 million left on her contract and is still set to be paid in full. Marchand stated on Tuesday that ESPN "made the move to tidy up its books with the fiscal year concluding at the end of September."

However, the move was also made to promote Greenberg, who Marchand described as "a long-time favorite of ESPN executives." The 57-year-old already hosts the daily shows Get Up on television and Greeny on radio. He also served as lead NBA host for a time before Malika Andrews took over the role last season.

Marchand pointed out that this is the second time ESPN has chosen a longtime anchor to host a major show over Laura Rutledge, the host of NFL Live who was described as "an up-and-coming star at the network." Rutledge was also in the running to be the host of Monday Night Countdown, but that job went to Scott Van Pelt last season.

Greenberg will be joined at the desk for Sunday NFL Countdown by Randy Moss, Tedy Bruschi, Rex Ryan, Alex Smith and Adam Schefter.

ESPN and ABC are set to broadcast the Super Bowl for the first time in 2027, so these recent moves are viewed as stepping stones toward that monumental moment.