FOX Sports Personality Keyshawn Johnson Files Lawsuit

Originally posted on The Spun | By Daniel Bates | Last updated May 28, 2025 12:52 PM ET

FOX Sports personality and ex-NFL receiver Keyshawn Johnson is reportedly taking agent Chris Ellison to court after filing a million dollar lawsuit in Los Angeles last week.

In the suit the Super Bowl champ alleges that he and Ellison struck a deal about 10 years ago, agreeing that he would use his influence to help funnel players to Ellison's agency in exchange for a portion of the contracts they received.

Johnson claims he was supposed to get one-third of the 3% commission Ellison made on his clients' salaries, but didn't see a dime following the signings of four players he recruited. Those players being: Packers WR Romeo Doubs, Bears CB Jaylon Johnson, San Francisco DB Deommodore Lenoir and Falcons corner Mike Hughes.

By the three-time Pro Bowler's calculations, Ellison owes him roughly $962,335 for the contracts he helped him land and he wants his restitution.

According to TMZ Sports, the veteran agent denies every claim made by Johnson in the lawsuit.

Johnson was the No. 1 pick in the 1996 draft out of USC and went on to play 11 seasons in the National Football League where he starred for the Jets, Bucs, Cowboys and Panthers.

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 14: Keyshawn Johnson before a game between University of Southern California and University of Notre Dame at Notre Dame Stadium on October 14, 2023 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/Getty Images)Michael Miller/ISI Photos/Getty Images

After his playing career, the 52-year-old quickly transitioned to the media space where he worked on ESPN's "Sunday NFL Countdown" and "Monday Night Countdown" for years before eventually landing at FOX.

Keyshawn reportedly made almost $46 million across his four NFL contracts prior to retirement. He currently serves as one of the co-hosts on FS1's daily studio show, "Speak" with Joy Taylor.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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