Jason Whitlock is looking to leave ESPN a year before his contract ends, and he could end up at FOX Sports, according to a report.
Sports Business Daily’s John Ourand reports that Whitlock is looking to leave ESPN now that his role at the network has changed. Whitlock was hired to be the creator/leader of “The Undefeated” — described as a “Black Grantland” — that still has not launched. Whitlock was criticized for his poor management and handling of the project and later demoted.
Whitlock, who was hired two years ago, is trying to negotiate his way out of his current deal. ESPN may be willing to let him go as they have already lost Bill Simmons, Keith Olbermann and Colin Cowherd this summer as part of a network-wide cost-cutting effort.
If Whitlock were to leave ESPN for FOX Sports, it would make him another prominent former ESPN personality to join the emerging TV network. Ourand speculates that Whitlock could do TV work for FS1 and writing for FOXSports.com as part of a deal. Whitlock previously wrote extensively for FOXSports.com as a columnist.
