The left-of-center sports network ESPN fired “Sunday NFL Countdown” anchor Samantha Ponder on Thursday for what the network is reportedly billing as budgetary reasons.
Ponder was described by Outkick as “the only female voice inside Disney since Sage Steele’s departure to speak out against ‘trans women’ (as in men) competing in women’s sports.” Not only did Ponder defend Kansas City Chiefs’ Harrison Butker for his faith-based speech at Benedictine College, she also praised ESPN “College Gameday” host Kirk Herbstreit for recently insisting that men do not belong in women’s sports.
She also posted, “It is not hateful to demand fairness in sports for girls.”
I barely said anything publicly abt this issue & I’ve had so many ppl msg me, stop me in the street to say thank you+ tell me stories abt girls who are afraid to speak up for fear of lost employment/being called hateful. It is not hateful to demand fairness in sports for girls https://t.co/teNoMDWNW4
— Samantha Steele Ponder (@samponder) May 25, 2023
The decision to fire Ponder drew outrage from former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines, the host of OutKick’s “Gaines for Girls” podcast, who prompted the remark above, and former ESPN anchor Sage Steele.
“So ESPN fires @samponder, the only woman at the network who was publicly said men don’t belong in women’s sports. 3 weeks before football season? Sam is one of the most beautiful, genuine women I’ve ever met along with @sagesteele who had a similar fate….not a coincidence,” Gaines wrote.
So ESPN fires @samponder, the only woman at the network who was publicly said men don’t belong in women’s sports. 3 weeks before football season?
Sam is one of the most beautiful, genuine women I’ve ever met along with @sagesteele who had a similar fate….not a coincidence. pic.twitter.com/igeC87UOnK
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) August 15, 2024
Steele, a former “SportsCenter” anchor, departed in August 2023 after settling a lawsuit she filed after being taken off the air in October 2021 for opposition to the company’s COVID-19 vaccine policy.
In a video posted on X, Steele expressed support for Ponder and said “It’s all gonna come out.”
“This is another loss for ESPN, but it is a gain for literally the rest of the world because now you’re going to see the true Sam Ponder,” Steele said. “It’s all going to come out, and I hope you’re ready. She is a gem.”
I love you, @samponder ❤️ pic.twitter.com/2IMwURVfMN
— Sage Steele (@sagesteele) August 15, 2024
Here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story, as seen on X:
There’s nothing left of @espn. It’s a moribund, sad shell of a once great sports net.
Burn in hell for firing her.
— David Wohl (@DavidWohl) August 15, 2024
Pathetic… The woke media just got woker.
It’s why ESPN is failing.
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) August 15, 2024
In my lifetime Disney turned from THE family viewing to a disease on the family and reality itself.
Disney, ABC, ESPN are all showing the signs of a well developed systemic disease that is progressivism.
— newmanian (@newmanian2) August 15, 2024
Hopefully she gets hired by FOX Sports for football season.
— Andrea Katherine (@AndreaKatSTL) August 15, 2024
ESPN is a woke communist network infested with democrats. If Sam supported Kamala Harris, she would get promoted. Fact.
— God Bless Donald Trump (@grandeleague1) August 15, 2024
I met @samponder when I covered college football for @FOXSports. She’s one of the hardest working, smartest, and consummate professional people in sports media. This is tragic.
— Steve Eubanks (@jseubanks) August 15, 2024
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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