ESPN is laying off some of its biggest stars in a purge that is expected to result in around 20 on-air personalities being let go Friday as the network hopes to save tens of millions of dollars, The Post has learned.

Some of the top NFL, NBA and ESPN Radio personalities are anticipated to be told that they will no longer be on the network’s many platforms beginning Friday, according to sources. 

ESPN informed all of its employees this morning of the forthcoming cuts on an internal website, according to a memo obtained by The Post. The five-paragraph note did not go into many specifics.

At the beginning of Disney’s three rounds of layoffs, sources told The Post that at ESPN, there would be “no sacred cows” when letting go of personnel.

This is expected to be apparent during Friday’s cuts. 

While the likes of Stephen A. Smith, Scott Van Pelt, Joe Buck and some other big names are not at risk, there are expected to be decades-long on-air “talent” let go.

Talent is the fancy name broadcasting uses for front facing TV commentators.

Last week, The Post reported the network was scrapping its morning radio show that features Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson and Jay Williams. Kellerman, who makes in the neighborhood of $5 million a year, and Johnson, who is a year into a five-year, around $18 million deal, are considered in jeopardy, while Williams has a contract that is up at the end of the summer. 

“Monday Night Football” pregame analyst Steve Young and host Suzy Kobler are also among those also considered to be in trouble.

ESPN declined comment.

ESPN’s parent company, Disney, previously had three rounds of layoffs with the goal of eliminating 7,000 jobs, which were ordered by the company’s CEO, Bob Iger. 

During those rounds, ESPN let go behind-the-scenes people, including longtime employees like top executive Russell Wolff, PR guru Mike Soltys and editor Chuck Salituro. 

While the previous layoffs were because of a Disney mandate, ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro chose to delve into talent for this extra round.

The hope is by cutting those making in excess of seven figures per year, ESPN would be able to save more behind the scenes people.

Not everyone that will be let go will make more than a million bucks per year.

ESPN will also signal to those with contracts coming up that it plans to be tougher in negotiations.

It will still spend when it sees fit as in the case of Pat McAfee, whom the network recently inked to a five-year deal in the neighborhood of $85 million for his show that begins in the fall on ESPN.

ESPN executives believe McAfee’s deal will make the network money from Day 1.

On Friday, ESPN will be telling some employees with contracts that they will still be paid, but they will no longer be on-air.

If an on-air person finds him or herself in this position, they will likely be able to work at another network, but will have to hash it out with ESPN’s legal department.

Of importance, Disney has made ESPN its own division, meaning in November it will break out its own earnings for the first time, which, despite cord cutting, are said to still be quite impressive, according to sources.

As part of the un-bylined internal network memo published Friday, ESPN, in part, wrote, “In order to identify additional cost savings, ESPN determined it necessary to turn the cost management focus to public-facing commentator salaries, and that process has begun. This exercise will include a small group of job cuts in the short-term and an ongoing focus on managing costs when we negotiate individual contract renewals in the months ahead.

“It’s important for you to know that these are difficult decisions, involving individuals who have had tremendous impact on our company. They are based more on overall efficiency than merit, and we believe they will help us meet our financial targets and ensure future growth. Out of respect to all involved, we don’t plan on releasing a complete list of names.”

This is a developing story, check back for updates.