Report: ESPN Radio Reshuffling Line-Up

The future of ESPN Radio’s Trey Wingo is in limbo as the network continues to mull changes to its audio and television lineups.

The NY Post reports ESPN is in the midst of reshaping its radio and NFL presentations and it is unclear where Wingo will end up. With Wingo’s contract up, ESPN has explored changing its national morning radio program of “Golic and Wingo.”

It potentially would have made sense for the 56-year-old Wingo to return to “NFL Live” if he were to be taken off the radio. But Laura Rutledge of “Get Up” and “SEC Nation” is replacing Wendi Nix as the primary host of “NFL Live,” sources said.

Meanwhile, Nix’s contract also is up. ESPN is negotiating to bring her back, but with Disney and the network struggling as a result of the pandemic, it has been a difficult time for the company to make deals. It is unclear what Nix, 45, would do next at the network.

The plans to change up radio and “NFL Live” were in place by ESPN prior to the pandemic. Executives everywhere have been focused on trying to figure out what to put on the air as they deal with the future impact of the coronavirus.

Wingo replaced Mike Greenberg on the morning program in November 2017. ESPN has interest in bringing Greenberg back to radio, but it would not be with his old teammate, Mike Golic. If Greenberg did return to radio, it would be in addition to his TV show, “Get Up.”

As The Post previously reported, ESPN has had interest in Keyshawn Johnson and Max Kellerman, among others, to be on radio.

ESPN would like to add Johnson back to its NFL coverage, he would likely be asked to move east if he were to do national radio. That would likely cost ESPN/Disney a lot of money at a time when it is not looking to spend. Johnson, who hosts a local ESPN show in Los Angeles, is under contract until the end of summer. The sides currently are far apart on an extension, sources said.

Kellerman, it could be argued, has a bigger platform than radio with “First Take,” where he duels on the debate stage with Stephen A. Smith.

Trey Wingo

On radio, Kellerman has had success locally both in New York and Los Angeles. He could be asked to double dip and do both TV and radio, but that would be very heavy lifting — especially with the hours the morning program demands.

Wendi Nix

ESPN executives have discussed revamping the entire national radio lineup. Before the pandemic, there were discussions about possibly moving the Dan Le Batard with Stugotz onto ESPN+, according to sources. Le Batard’s best spot probably would be outside the restrictions of the Disney brand, where he would not be forced to hold back. Le Batard has said on air that he has a little more than two years remaining on his contract.

ESPN Radio has considered its 1-3 p.m “First Take, My Take,” which is hosted by Jason Fitz, as a placeholder of sorts. It also has a forthcoming opening in the afternoon as Will Cain is headed to Fox News/Fox Nation soon.

This all leaves Wingo’s ESPN future in limbo. He replaced Chris Berman as the host of the draft, but if he is removed from radio and “NFL Live” is a not landing spot, where does he go?

Sam Ponder is set on “Sunday NFL Countdown,” while Suzy Kolber is a fixture on Mondays. Wingo may still find a chair, but the music is nearer to stop.