Mike Greenberg can be the brand new host of “Sunday NFL Countdown” as ESPN assembles its roster for the primary Super Bowl in 2027, a source acquainted with the matter said Tuesday.
Greenberg replaces Sam Ponder, who was fired last week with one 12 months and over $1 million left on her contract. While she’s going to receive her full salary, ESPN has taken the step to scrub up its books as its fiscal 12 months ends at the top of September.
But Ponder's decision must also boost Greenberg, a longtime favorite of ESPN executives. As host of the each day shows “Get Up” on television and “Greeny” on radio, Greenberg is already a ubiquitous presence on the network. Greenberg was briefly the lead NBA anchor before relinquishing those duties to Malika Andrews last season. He also hosts the NFL Draft on ESPN, which is taken into account a prestigious job.
Greenberg, 57, gets the job ahead of Laura Rutledge, a rising star on the network. Although Rutledge, the host of each day “NFL Live,” is on the rise, that is the second time within the last 12 months that she has lost out to a longtime ESPN anchor.
Just before last season, Scott Van Pelt was named host of Monday Night Football's “NFL Countdown,” replacing Rutledge. Van Pelt's Monday program also received an overhaul, with Jason Kelce replacing the recently fired Robert Griffin III. Kelce is a guest on Mondays alongside analysts Marcus Spears and Ryan Clark.
On Sunday, Greenberg's essential appearance will feature Randy Moss, Tedy Bruschi, Rex Ryan and Alex Smith, in addition to insider Adam Schefter.
ESPN and ABC will broadcast the Super Bowl for the primary time in 2027, and network executives are designing their weekly sets for this big moment in the corporate's history.
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