ESPN is going through a round of layoffs today.

They reportedly let go of Max Kellerman and Keyshawn Johnson:

This isn’t too surprising after recent reports that ESPN was moving on from the Kellerman/Johnson/Jay Williams morning show. Max had also been doing his afternoon TV show after being moved off of First Take a while back. That time slot is reportedly going to Pat McAfee.

Jalen Rose was also allegedly let go:

Jeff Van Gundy as well:

The only other name floating around right now is LaPhonso Ellis, the NBA veteran who was doing college basketball for ESPN. He was reportedly laid off, bringing the total of reported names to five.

Here’s the passage that explains why this is going down, via Andrew Marchand at the Post:

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.

If Sal Paolantonio hangs on, then great job by him. He should have been canned on the spot several years ago when he called for a Philadelphia Eagles tanking investigation. Is Sal Pal too big to fail? He’s wearing his Kenesaw Mountain Landis pants.

EDIT 1 – they got Suzy Kolber:

EDIT 2 – They also got Todd McShay, Matt Hasselbeck, and Steve Young: