ESPN has reached a buyout decision with Keyshawn Johnson following a recent announcement from Skip Bayless revealing the former NFL wide receiver will be joining him on FS1’s ‘Undisputed’.
Skip’s revelation was a bit premature as Johnson was still under contract with ESPN. However, that is no more as Andrew Marchand has reported that the ex-Pro Bowler has agreed to a settlement over his $18 million contract with The Worldwide Leader in Sports “after long, arduous negotiations.”
Johnson, a Super Bowl Champion with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who made three Pro Bowls, was one of several high-profile staffers let go by ESPN at the end of June. But the network still controlled his rights as he had signed a five-year deal worth the aforementioned sum last year.
The 51-year-old is set to make the same amount of money between the buyout and his new deal with FS1 and will retain his audio rights, which leaves him free to have his own podcast or do radio.
The former WR had hosted morning shows on ESPN and was a regular contributor to ‘First Take’.
Bayless, meanwhile, was in need of a new partner following Shannon Sharpe’s departure in June. Sharpe is now at ESPN and will make his ‘First Take’ debut on Monday, with Johnson also set to make his first appearance in his old seat on the same day.
