Report: ESPN Canceling Flagship National Radio Show
As part of a large-scale company restructuring, ESPN is reportedly canceling its national morning radio show featuring Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson and Jay Williams, according to Andrew Marchand of the New York Post. The network is also expected to undergo “significant on-air layoffs” in the weeks to come.
The decision does not mean that the trio won’t still be with the company, though Marchand speculates that Kellerman’s high salary might put him in jeopardy. Johnson also signed a four-year, $18 million deal with ESPN last year.
It’s possible that, should Johnson leave ESPN, he could join Fox, which has an opening on its debate show Undisputed for a co-host opposite Skip Bayless following the departure of fellow former NFL star, Shannon Sharpe. Williams’s contract is set to expire at the end of this summer.
Layoffs for on-air talent are expected to begin by the end of June. The cuts will be made with the aim of saving behind-the-scenes jobs and hitting financial goals set by Disney, ESPN’s parent company.