The farewell tour for ESPN2's "Mike & Mike in the Morning" has come to a close, but Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic didn't given their TV/radio viewers the answer to one important question: What exactly will Greenberg be doing between the end of "Mike & Mike" and the launch of his new solo show?
Sporting News broke the story that the debut of Greenberg's new solo show on ESPN has been delayed from Jan. 1 until the spring due to delays building ESPN's expensive new South Street Seaport studio in Manhattan.
That will leave Greenberg on his own for four or five months after the end of "Mike & Mike," while Golic's new show with Trey Wingo debuts on Nov. 27.
MORE: Source says ESPN heading for more painful layoffs
When SN asked ESPN about Greenberg on Monday, a spokeswoman didn't offer much info. "That's still being discussed," she said.
It might be good for Greenberg to have some down time after 18 years of morning-drive duty every Monday through Friday from 6-10 a.m. ET.
It will give the 50-year-old "Greeny" time to develop the format for his new show and finalize a cast that's expected to include three or four regulars such as Michelle Beadle, Jalen Rose and Booger McFarland, as well as a rotating lineup of athletes, celebrities and ESPN talent.
"The break will do him and everyone good," one source said. "He's going to be maniacal once this gets going because of the pressure to succeed."
As for what ESPN has in store for Greenberg during the down time?
"My guess would be having him not do anything on-air and be working behind the camera on show development and making promotional appearances," the source said. "Maybe have him appear when there's a story he can elevate the coverage, but I can't think of such a scenario. Being off-air for four months seems like a long time, but it isn't. You don't see Al Michaels (of NBC's "Sunday Night Football") from mid-February to mid-July and he's not forgotten."
Greenberg and Golic have been showing their greatest hits recently, including their 11 appearances with David Letterman.
ESPN aired a message from Tiger Woods on Monday, thanking the duo for keeping the golf superstar entertained during his morning gym workouts. Schefter also popped up to remind Greenberg that it was he who tagged the NFL Insider with his nickname "Schefty" when he first joined ESPN.
But the next few months won't be fun and games. ESPN is bracing for more painful layoffs at the end of November and early December.
The heat will be on Greenberg and Beadle — as well Bomani Jones and Pablo Torre — as they launch their new shows in New York.
"There's going to be intense pressure to make it clear it was worth spending money on these people and their shows when the company is cutting costs elsewhere," said another source.
