More employees in the sports broadcasting industry will soon lose their jobs at ESPN, including some notable talents.
Earlier this year, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that the company could be cutting 7,000 jobs, with many coming at ESPN. The next round of layoffs, including on-air personalities for the Worldwide Leader in Sports, are expected very soon.
Andrew Marchand of the New York Post reports that ESPN has already opted to cancel its national morning radio program that feature Max Kellerman, former NFL star wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson and ex-NBA player Jay Williams.
According to Marchand, Kellerman’s job “is in jeopardy”, with his “This Just In” program set to be replaced by “The Pat McAfee’s Show.” Marchand added that those who don’t help move the needle are also in jeopardy:
“ESPN is scrapping its national morning radio show featuring Keyshawn Johnson, Jay Williams and Max Kellerman, The Post has learned.
he 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…
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.”
Kellerman worked with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s “First Take” program from 2016 to 2021, taking on the co-host role after Skip Bayless left for FS1’s “Undisputed” show. Bayless co-hosted that program with Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe, who left the show earlier this month.
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There have been plenty of changes for ESPN’s on-air talents over the last two years. Beginning in the 2021-22 NHL season, the network returned to broadcasting NHL games for the first time since the 2003-04 season.
As well, the longtime No. 1 “NFL on FOX” commentary team of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman came to ESPN to take over the ‘Monday Night Football” broadcasts. Steve Levy, Louis Riddick and Brian Griese served as the MNF broadcast team for two years before Buck and Aikman arrived.
