One of the most iconic and recognizable voices of the last two generations in sports television will remain with the ‘Worldwide Leader’ until his Golden Anniversary. Longtime ESPN anchor Chris Berman has agreed to a multiyear contract extension that will keep him with the network and company through 2029, when he will make history becoming ESPN’s first 50-year employee.
Berman, who is 70 years-of-age, will have a vital role in the network’s first Super Bowl broadcast in 2027 and continue his duties hosting the signature “NFL PrimeTime” show on ESPN+, according to a network press release announcing the extension.
“I came to ESPN at 24 years young for my first full-time TV job. I had a full head of hair, was wet behind the ears, and my assignment was to host the wrap-up SportsCenter at 2:30 a.m. ESPN had been on the air for less than a month and we had fewer than 100 employees,” Berman said.
“Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined turning 70 and still being here at our network, which long ago became an icon of sports broadcasting. We’re closing in on our very first Super Bowl, and now I will be able to be part of that, too.”
A six-time National Sportscaster of the Year recipient, Berman was hired just after ESPN launched on September 7, 1979.
He quickly became a household name known for the creative nicknames he gave to sports figures, and he became an icon as the leading voice of “NFL PrimeTime,” the Sunday night highlight show on ESPN that ran from 1987 to 2005 on ESPN and since 2006 on ESPN+.
ESPN will cover Super Bowl XLI on Valentines Day, February 14, 2027, from Los Angeles. Berman, as part of his new deal, will be a part of the coverage. It will be his 45th Super Bowl in various roles for the network; he hosted three pregame shows for ABC in 2000, 2003 and 2006. He is a jack of all trades and has covered 30 World Series and 31 MLB All-Star Games as well.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe is also the on-site host of the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony in Canton, Ohio, which he has done since 1979. Berman is also an accomplished actor as well. His 16th movie role, as part of Happy Gilmore 2, will be out later this summer.
“For a remarkable half-century, Chris has embodied ESPN with his smart and entertaining style,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said. “Boomer’s enjoyment of sports jumps through the screen and generations of fans have loved being along for the ride.
“ESPN has been so fortunate to have Chris making us better for decades and I am delighted that will continue beyond our 50th anniversary. And no studio broadcaster has meant more to NFL coverage than Chris and to have his presence on our first Super Bowl presentation is both apropos and significant.”
