Facts of
Full Name:
View more / View less Facts of

Samantha Ponder is an American sportscaster who is in the media limelight after appearing as the host of Sunday NFL Countdown on ESPN. She is also hosting the Saturday 9 AM ET edition on ESPNU.

Samantha has also hosted Rece Davis, Jesse Palmer, and David Pollack for ESPN’s Thursday Night College Football from August 2012 until 2014. Her appearance on the ESPN-owned Texas-oriented regional network Longhorn Network made her gain name and fame in the industry. 

Early Life of Samantha Ponder

Samantha Ponder opened her eyes for the very first time on December 11, 1985, in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. As of now, Samantha is 37 years old. Samantha cuts her birthday cake on the 11th of December and her sun sign is Sagittarius. Her real name is Samantha Sainte-Claire Ponder. She is the daughter of Jerry Steele (father) and Cindi Steele (mother).

Both of her parents are involved in the charity M.A.D. Ministries.  Her siblings are Jaime Steele, Jerrod Jefferson, and Barron Steele. Ponder holds American nationality and belongs to white ancestry. Ponder follows the Christian religion. She joined Central High School in Phoenix. Then, Samantha studied at The King’s College and transferred to Liberty University, and graduated in 2009.

Samantha Ponder’s Engagement and Wedding

She is married to an American football quarterback, Christian Ponder. Christian slid on the Dm’s Samantha on Twitter and started dating each other in 2012. Then, Christian proposed to her with Christmas Lights Display at His House in December 2012.

He displayed the Marry Me right after appearing in front of her with a cushion-cut diamond embedded 4-carat ring. Her engagement ring has two halos, one covered with pink diamonds and the other half with white diamonds surrounded by a pave with the cut diamond in the center.

Christian and Samantha walked down the aisle without telling other parents in jeans and a sweatshirt in Hudson, Wisconsin on December 17, 2012.  They went to get a meal at Arby’s after the wedding and joined the Ugly sweater party followed by a wedding reception for their friends and family.

More About Her Husband Christian Ponder

Christian was born Christian Andrew Ponder on February 25, 1988, and is a native of Dallas, Texas, United States. Christian is a former American football quarterback who became a topic of discussion when he played for clubs like the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, and San Francisco 49ers. The Minnesota Vikings drafted him in the 12th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Samantha Ponder, Mother of Three

Samantha and her husband gave birth to three children, two daughters, and a son. She gave birth to a daughter Bowden Sainte Claire on July 2, 2014. They named her after Bobby Bowden, coach of Christian.

Her second daughter Price Anne Dre was born in July 2018 and her son, Robinson True was born in June 2017.

Samantha Ponder’s Net Worth

Samantha’s net worth is $15 million as of 2023 which she earned as an American sports commentator. Her annual salary at ESPN is $4.9 million. She is currently signed with ESPN for three years. Samantha will receive $3 million a year from ESPN.

Samantha lives in a $2.2 million worth mansion in Phoenix which she bought in 2015. The house has six bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms along with a grassy yard that extends up to 6,923-square-foot.

Samantha Ponder and Nancy Armour’s Feud

When the transgender athlete reached a fever pitch many of the ESPN employees became involved in it. Samantha also retweeted the Tweet Gaines and reached out to her for help fighting for the integrity of Title IX.

“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.”

Nancy replied it saying that Samantha is not concerned about the athlete saying:

“If ESPN’s Sam Ponder was truly concerned about women’s sports, she’s had ample opportunity in the last year to call out the inequities that actually do exist. She hasn’t. This isn’t about fairness. It’s about her bigotry.”

Professional Career of Samantha Ponder

• Samantha worked at ESPN Zone as a hostess and even met Ben Keeperman.
• Then, she started doing an internship as a research assistant with ABC-TV.
• Samantha also worked at Liberty Flames sports television network.
• She worked as a sideline reporter for Fox Sports Net and Fox College Sports.
• She reported Pac-10 and Big 12 college basketball and football games in 2009.

• Samantha was hired as a sideline reporter by ESPN‘s Longhorn Network on July 7, 2011.
• She started working along with reporters like  Kevin Dunn and Lowell Galindo.
• She hosted ESPN college football and as basketball as a sideline reporter.
• She got the opportunity to host 10 AM ET on ESPN by replacing Erin Andrews on College GameDay.
• Samantha worked at the Saturday 9 AM ET edition and has also worked with Rece Davis, Jesse Palmer, and David Pollack from August 2012 until 2014.

TV Shows

She appeared in tv shows like ESPN College Football and BattleBots. 8.0, BattleBots, Sunday NFL Countdown, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The View, National Spelling Bee, and Sam Out of the City.

FAQs of Samantha Ponder

Is Samantha Ponder an author?

Yes, she is an author. Samantha is the writer of the book named Sam Ponder Teen Non-Fiction Book.

Did Samantha Ponder have a seizure?

Yes, Samantha had a seizure. When she was returning to NYC from Phoenix she had to do a seizure and even missed the NFL Countdown.

What happened to Samantha Ponder’s daughter Price?

Her daughter Price had emergency surgery in the middle of the night right after the birth. She even thanked the doctor of Mount Sinai Hospital for doing the emergency surgery.

How tall is Samantha Ponder?

Ponder’s height is 5 feet 6 inches and weighs 54 kg. Her body measurement includes 35-25-36 inches and she wears a 32 C-sized bra. Ponder has a beautiful pair of blue eyes and blonde hair. Her shoe size is 6(US).