Football Power Couple

ESPN reporter and former Austinite Samantha Ponder dishes about life with new NFL hubby

Former Austinite and ESPN reporter Samantha Ponder — who was part of the Longhorn Network’s original on-air team — is opening up about her relationship with her new husband, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder.

Samantha, first introduced to TV sports viewers as Samantha Steele, joined ESPN’s Austin-based Longhorn Network in 2011 after a stint at Fox Sports Net and Fox College Sports. She’s now a sideline reporter and studio co-host for ESPN’s college football broadcasts.

“He started sending me messages on Twitter,” Samantha told TwinCities.com. “That was our original connection. Our version of Christian Mingle was on Twitter.”

In a recent interview with TwinCities.com, the new Mrs. Ponder shared details about how she and the NFL QB met and her passion for college football.

In the interview, Samantha revealed that the seeds of her relationship with Christian, who grew up in the Dallas suburb of Grapevine, were planted last year on Twitter. They were engaged last December and got hitched the same month.

“He started sending me messages on Twitter,” she said. “I’m like, ‘Why is this old Florida State quarterback messaging me? This is weird.’ He was always asking me random questions about living in Austin. Nothing creepy, but that was our original connection. Our version of Christian Mingle was on Twitter.”

Samantha said she responded to him on Twitter only because he wasn’t following any other women on the social media website.

“Usually these guys are all following porn stars or who knows what kind of women,” Samantha said. “There were little things like that pointing to maybe this is a different kind of guy.”

The couple — who share a deep faith in God — tied the knot in a no-frills, 20-minute civil ceremony in Wisconsin, then ate their wedding meal at Arby’s.

“We get way more attention than we ever deserve or need or want, because of our jobs,” Samantha said. “I don’t need a day that’s all about me. I was happy to go get married.”

She’s also happy that college football season is about to kick off.

“I’m so sick of Johnny Manziel signing this and this guy signing this. I love the game and the environment when those guys roll out of the tunnel,” she told TwinCities.com.

“I have an appreciation for the NFL and I love what Christian does, but there is nothing like a 75-degree Saturday afternoon standing on the football field, watching guys run out with 80,000 people around them. There’s something special about the environment in college football.”

Samantha, a Phoenix native, spent only about a year in Austin. The Liberty University graduate moved here to work for the Longhorn Network after volunteering for a month at an orphanage in Zimbabwe. The cable TV network launched in August 2011. Less than a year later, she was called up by ESPN to replace Erin Andrews, who left for Fox Sports.

“Austin is like a strange mix between Berkeley and Birmingham,” Samantha told ESPN back in 2011. “Picture a Prius with a gun rack. I’m not sure how, but I’m sure someone here has one.”

We don’t know whether Samantha ever spotted a gun-rack-equipped Prius in Austin. And we doubt they like to keep it that weird in her new home state of Minnesota.

News on the Court

Huge pickleball franchise serves up first 2 Austin-area locations

The Picklr

The Picklr/Instagram

This growing chain of indoor courts plans five location in the Austin area.

Austin rings with the rubbery pop of pickleball as it takes over as the 2020s-defining sport. Joining the local fray in fall 2024 is The Picklr, a network of indoor pickleball courts that plans to open five locations across Austin and Round Rock over the next year-and-a-half.

The Utah-headquartered network calls itself North America’s fastest-growing indoor pickleball franchise, and its living up that reputation by launching its first two Austin-area locations at once: one at Round Rock Crossing (3021-3023 S I-35 Frontage Rd.) and the other in a former Walmart building in West Austin's Four Points neighborhood (8201 N FM 620).

Even though they're indoors, the courts will feature outdoor-style surfacing, and accommodate unlimited league play, tournaments, and open play. Alongside those courts is dedicated practice and warmup space, plus a pro shop, and a space for private events.

Both are large, but the Austin location is much bigger, coming at 39,000 square feet and encapsulating 11 courts. Sharing a small portion of the Austin space is Wired Fitness & Rehab. Round Rock's location fits eight courts in 25,000 square feet.

The Picklr works on a membership basis without tiers — all players have the same level of access. Bookings are also unlimited in frequency, although only one reservation may be held at once. For more organized play, members can participate in skill-based clinics, which take place on a weekly basis, or one-on-one lessons.

“We’re fortunate that Austin is home to one of the best pickleball communities in the country, and it’s had such a positive impact on our lives. That’s why we’re excited to build a club with pro-level resources and help make pickleball more accessible to everyone,” said The Picklr Round Rock owners Jennifer Zanfardino and Chris Gennarelli.

The owners of the West Austin location, David and Karen Hoisington, are multi-generational Austinites who have taken local sports to heart since childhood. They point out the stores leagues tying together the Austin scene. “Being part of a strategic partnership with leaders in the Pickleball sport has been inspiring and a privilege for us. Pickleball Inc., PPA Tour, MLP and Pickleball Central are all set to drive growth and memberships at The Picklr. We are excited to come alongside the awesome Pickleball community in Austin, Texas.”

The Austin-area locations are among 300 new ones being built "over the next few years," housing about 2,500 courts. Online reviews of Picklr vary, often due to shifts in policy as the fast-growing franchise creates its standardized rule set.

New users can sign up for a $10, 30-day trial. Both the West Austin and Round Rock locations will accept applications for founding members, which are just regular members with a permanent discount as thanks for signing up early. A submission form on each page will notify interested players when presales start.

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