Jason Whitlock has weighed in on ESPN’s firing of Robert Griffin III (R) and Sam Ponder (L)

Whitlock believes that Griffin’s firing may have been a strategic move to divert attention away from Ponder’s exit, which has sparked controversy over her views on transgender athletes.

“Recently, Samantha Ponder and Robert Griffin III were both fired from ESPN,” Whitlock wrote on social media. “I think the reason they were fired in conjunction is so that ESPN could mute the conversation around Ponder’s firing, and have more of America talking about RG3.”

Ponder, 38, had recently commented on the controversy surrounding Khelif, stating that “XY= male XX= female.” She was released from her three-year, $3 million deal, but will receive her full salary.

Griffin, on the other hand, took a different stance on the issue, stating that Khelif is a biological woman and should be protected.

ESPN has declined to comment on the departures of Ponder and Griffin. However, fellow former ESPN host Sage Steele has come out in support of Ponder, stating that she is a “brilliant woman” who has been a “gem” to work with.

Steele, who was among those who voiced opposition to biological males competing in women’s sports, claimed that ESPN had previously asked her not to discuss transgender swimmer Lia Thomas.

Riley Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer, has also suggested that Ponder was fired over her opinion on trans women in sports.

Sports columnist Whitlock has suggested that there could be more to the double axing

The controversy surrounding Ponder’s firing has sparked a wider debate about transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.

Kirk Herbstreit, a college football analyst, has also spoken out against the idea of men competing in women’s sports, stating that it is a “ridiculous” concept.

ESPN did not fire Kirk Herbstreit, whose comments about trans women in sports were applauded by Ponder during an exchange on social media earlier this month