Over the past few years, there have been many changes taking place at ESPN. With well-known reporters, anchors and personalities being fired, let go or retiring the face of the major sports television network have been ever-changing. Adding to this is, even more, uncertainty as more ESPN talent is wondering if they will be next to go as ESPN tries to save money and modernize. However, the biggest change happened in January when it got announced that ESPN icon Chris Berman would be stepping down from his major roles at ESPN to take a reduced schedule.
It will be a significant change seeing less of Berman, who has been with ESPN since 1979 and has hosted the network's NFL studio programming for 31 seasons.
Samantha Ponder
Samantha Ponder will be replacing Berman in his role as the host of Sunday NFL Countdown, one of the longest running series on ESPN and all of U.S. cable television. At only 31, Ponder taking on this role is a clear example of ESPN trying to modernize their network and push some of their younger talents into leading roles to hopefully gain new viewers. Ponder joined ESPN in 2011 as a commentator for the Longhorn Network and is best known for being a correspondent for ESPN's College GameDay since 2012. She has also hosted College Football Live, rotating in that position with Molly McGrath since 2016 and has also been a sideline reporter for college basketball and football.
Suzy Kolber
Suzy Kolber will be replacing Berman in his role as the host of Monday Night Countdown, as well as hosting the Monday Night Football halftime and postgame coverage. Kolber, who has been with ESPN since 1993, is best known for being the sideline reporter for Sunday Night Football from 2001-2005 and Monday Night Football from 2006-2011.
She has also been the weekday host of NFL Insiders, a role that she will continue. She has had on the job training in her new role, as she has co-hosted Monday Night Countdown with Berman since 2015.
Trey Wingo
Trey Wingo will be replacing Berman in his capacity as the host of ESPN's coverage of the NFL Draft. Wingo will now host all three days of the event.
Wingo, who has been with ESPN since 1997, is familiar with hosting NFL Draft coverage as he has been the host during later draft coverage since 2008. He will also continue his best-known role as the host of NFL Live, which he has hosted since its inception in 2003. He will also continue to be the face of ESPN's around the clock NFL coverage on shows like NFL Primetime, NFL Insiders: Sunday Edition and more.
