ESPN is scrapping its national morning radio show featuring Keyshawn Johnson, Jay Williams and Max Kellerman, The Post has learned.
This is part of the restructuring of the company that will include significant on-air layoffs 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 as a big-money guy who now is going to be out on radio and has “The Pat McAfee Show” this fall moving into the same time slot as Kellerman’s TV program, “This Just In”
Johnson and Williams’ futures 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.
This is a corporate way of reducing 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.
ESPN could do that, which could grant Johnson free agency and make him a possible sparring partner for Skip Bayless as a replacement for Shannon Sharpe on FS1’s “Undisputed.”
Johnson lives in Los Angeles, where Fox Sports is located.
ESPN and Johnson would have to negotiate an agreement to allow this possibility to fully play out.
ESPN could also choose to expand Johnson’s NFL role, especially with “Monday Night Countdown” expected to be hit by layoffs.
The Post has previously reported that analyst Steve Young is in jeopardy.
Johnson is already a regular on ESPN’s daily program, “NFL Live.”
Williams, whose contract is up at the end of the summer, is someone that ESPN likes and may try to keep, but the role would be different if he remains on the network.
ESPN had targeted the end of June to have talent layoffs begin, and 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 this will help save behind-the-scenes jobs because there are financial targets that the company is expected to meet by Disney.
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 as he will oversee the NFL, while Dave Roberts had expanded duties, to add 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 assumes that responsibility.
Williamson still oversees radio, which ESPN hit hard in 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 in New York, replaced by Rick DiPietro and Dave Rothenberg’s local show.
ESPN will have a new national local show, but the hosts are unlikely to make millions as ESPN is looking to invest its audio money more in podcasting than radio.