ESPN scraps radio show with Keyshawn Johnson, Jay Williams, Max Kellerman as more layoffs loom
ESPN is scrapping its national morning radio show featuring Keyshawn Johnson, Jay Williams and Max Kellerman, The Post has learned.
The move is part of the restructuring of the company, which will include significant on-air layoffs to come as early as next week, according to sources.
It doesn’t mean that Johnson, Williams or Kellerman will be let go, though Kellerman is in jeopardy.
He is a big-money guy who now is going to be out on radio and the time slot for his TV program,” This Just in,” will be taken over by “The Pat McAfee Show” this fall.
Johnson’s and Williams’ futures also are in flux.
ESPN signed Johnson to a four-year contract worth around $18 million last year, according to sources.
As part of the upcoming layoffs, ESPN is expected to buy out some deals, a way to reduce numbers on the books, while still actually paying people the money they are owed.
The concept only makes sense to Wall Street.
ESPN declined comment.
The network could offer buyouts, which could grant Johnson free agency and make him a possible sparring partner for Skip Bayless as a replacement for Shannon Sharpe on Fox Sports 1’s “Undisputed.”
Johnson lives in Los Angeles, where Fox Sports is located.
ESPN and Johnson would have to negotiate an agreement to allow that possibility to play out.
ESPN could also choose to expand Johnson’s NFL role, especially with “Monday Night Countdown” expected to be hit by layoffs and Johnson already a regular on ESPN’s daily program, “NFL Live.” The Post has previously reported that analyst Steve Young is in jeopardy.
Williams, whose contract is up at the end of the summer, is someone that ESPN likes and may try to keep, but his role would be different if he were to remain with the network.
ESPN had targeted the end of June to begin talent layoffs, so next week is still likely, but there is a chance it could drag later.
The approach to non-needle movers is one ESPN is expected to take in the coming months and years ahead when contracts expire. ESPN executives believe that will help save behind-the-scenes jobs because Disney expects the network to meet certain financial targets.
On Wednesday, ESPN made some big organizational moves that will impact the approach to programming.
The executive ranks of ESPN have always been like “Game of Thrones” with factions teaming up.
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro and president of content Burke Magnus gave longtime executive Norby Williamson more power.
He will oversee the NFL, while Dave Roberts had expanded duties added to his NBA authority.
Stephanie Druley, who was the head of the NFL, was moved to content operations.
Magnus and Pitaro wanted to streamline the decision-making.
The feeling with the prior setup of Williamson, Roberts and Druley, was there were three people doing jobs that were better suited for just two.
Williamson also had control of Talent Office, which basically gave him authority over all contracts.
In the new setup, Magnus will assume that responsibility.
Williamson still will oversee radio, which ESPN hit hard with early non-talent layoffs, which made the idea of a move on its morning show more likely.
The “Keyshawn, JWill and Max” program was already off the air in New York, replaced by Rick DiPietro and Dave Rothenberg’s local show.
ESPN will have a new national show, but the hosts are unlikely to make millions as the network is looking to invest its audio money in podcasting than radio.
