Britney Spears wasn't especially good on "X Factor" this season and she provided no ratings boost, so to the surprise of absolutely nobody, rumors have begun to spread that she'll be leaving the show.

In a story that's more "likely prediction" than "grounded reporting," USWeekly quotes several unnamed sources saying that Spears is going to be fired from the show, citing her high salary and lack of judging substance.

Of course, none of the sources say that the firing is a done deal and despite the big banner "Exclusive," nobody at US Weekly was proud enough of their exclusive to byline the report.

With L.A. Reid already departing "The X Factor," Simon Cowell will have at least one judging position to fill and nobody would be surprised if Spears left, either voluntarily or not-so-much. That means a full spring of judging rumors for the so-so rated FOX series.