Would Jay Williams Leave ESPN? His Contract is Up at the End of March, Sources Say

Depending on who you talk to, there’s either been a mass exodus of high-profile talent at ESPN over the last nine months – Rachel Nichols, Steve Berthiaume and his wife Cindy Brunson, Doug Gottlieb, Michelle Beadle, Erin Andrews to name a few – or that’s just the nature of the business at a time when networks are gearing up to compete with the Worldwide Leader in the coming years.

The next ESPN name that could be on the move? College basketball analyst Jay Williams. Sources say that the former Duke point guard – who is having quite the week, between dating Charissa Thompson, being profiled in the Times, and having his former Bulls teammates go off on him for his marijuana comments – has a contract that runs through March. By Final Four weekend, he could be at another network.

Williams will be an interesting case for ESPN, which just lost another college hoops analyst (Gottlieb) to CBS. How badly do they want to retain Williams? ESPN just passed him over for his former Bulls teammate Jalen Rose when a seat came open on the Gameday set (Hubert Davis left for the Tar Heels).

Fox, NBC and CBS all have college basketball programming, but ESPN by far has the best regular season slate. CBS has the all-important tournament, though.

Fox is planning on having another TV channel (or two) by the Fall, and one would imagine a 31-year-old former college basketball star could get a show if they’re throwing one at 81-year-old Regis Philbin (as has been rumored). They’ll need plenty of programming. Would Pac-12 games and a TV show entice Williams?

Does NBC offer up a TV show on the fledgling NBC Sports Network?

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20 Responses to “Would Jay Williams Leave ESPN? His Contract is Up at the End of March, Sources Say”

Babar 2.0 Says:
February 12th, 2013 at 6:03 PM

I had no idea he was on ESPN until you placed an embarrassing phone call to ask about the sexual relations of a network’s employees.

Make sure you keep me updated.

Cowboy Mike's Old Original Red Hot Ricochet Barbeque Sauce Says:
February 12th, 2013 at 6:06 PM

Jay Bilas doing work.

sctrojans Says:
February 12th, 2013 at 6:06 PM

tbl is to espn as danny sheridan is to ncaa

Sir Spicious Says:
February 12th, 2013 at 6:06 PM

I had no idea he was on ESPN until you placed an embarrassing phone call to ask about the sexual relations of a network’s employees.

its called journalism, jerk

PurdueMatt Says:
February 12th, 2013 at 6:08 PM

Depending on who you talk to

How did you get this number?!

Babar 2.0 Says:
February 12th, 2013 at 6:17 PM

its called journalism, jerk

It’s fluid.

YYSA Says:
February 12th, 2013 at 6:19 PM

its called journalism, jerk
It’s fluid.

journalism jerk to completion.

jim Says:
February 12th, 2013 at 6:21 PM

He can host American Choppers on Discovery.

jdeeser5 Says:
February 12th, 2013 at 6:22 PM

Here is a link to the earlier gun fire between police and Dorner. Carter Evans is the CBS reporter caught in the middle being yelled at to “get the fuck out of here!” Around 2:40 mark. There is also an earlier volley of shots around the 1:20 mark.

Jason McIntyre Says:
February 12th, 2013 at 6:25 PM

I had no idea he was on ESPN until you placed an embarrassing phone call to ask about the sexual relations of a network’s employees.
Make sure you keep me updated.

Was this supposed to hurt my feelings, Babar?

Shining Base Path Says:
February 12th, 2013 at 6:26 PM

Cold jim

hussler2 Says:
February 12th, 2013 at 6:30 PM

Here’s hoping that Jay Williams’ next major career decision is not as bad as the one he made earlier in his career to ride a motorcycle.

Here’s also hoping that, when Jay’s career fizzles at FOX after jumping ship, he doesn’t bitch about how much weed Fran Fraschilla and Joe Lunardi toked up pre-Bracketology segments.

Babar 2.0 Says:
February 12th, 2013 at 6:33 PM

Was this supposed to hurt my feelings, Babar?

Yes. Your question leads me to believe that I have failed.

I’ll have a re-write on your desk by morning.

/for scale

mizerle06 is sarah phillips Says:
February 12th, 2013 at 6:37 PM

I had no idea he was on ESPN until you placed an embarrassing phone call to ask about the sexual relations of a network’s employees.
Make sure you keep me updated.
Was this supposed to hurt my feelings, Babar?

/cues ominous music

Shining Base Path Says:
February 12th, 2013 at 6:42 PM

Hussler…what happened to the jt?

hussler2 Says:
February 12th, 2013 at 6:57 PM

banhammer’d

Shining Base Path Says:
February 12th, 2013 at 7:06 PM

Ill keep it secret

A.P. Says:
February 12th, 2013 at 7:35 PM