Berman has been an integral part of ESPN since joining the network a month after its launch in September of 1979.
BRISTOL, Conn. — Chris Berman has agreed to a new contract with ESPN that will take him through the network’s 50th anniversary in 2029.
The multiyear agreement was announced on Monday. Berman celebrated his 70th birthday on Saturday.
“I could never have envisioned reaching 70 and still being at our network, which has long since become a hallmark of sports broadcasting,” Berman stated. “We’re approaching our inaugural Super Bowl in 2027, and now I have the chance to be involved in that as well.”
Berman has played a vital role at ESPN since joining the network just a month after its debut in September 1979. In addition to being among the first “SportsCenter” hosts, he has significantly contributed to the network’s NFL and baseball broadcasts.
From 1987 to 2005, he co-hosted “NFL PrimeTime” with Tom Jackson on ESPN. He returned to host the show again in 2019 when it was relaunched on the ESPN+ streaming platform.
Berman will have a role in ESPN’s first Super Bowl telecast, which will take place from Los Angeles on Feb. 14, 2027.
He was the 2010 recipient of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award and has been the master of ceremonies for the Hall’s induction ceremony since 1999.
“For a remarkable half-century, Chris has embodied ESPN with his smart and entertaining style. Boomer’s enjoyment of sports jumps through the screen and generations of fans have loved being along for the ride,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement. “ESPN has been so fortunate to have Chris making us better for decades and I am delighted that will continue beyond our 50th anniversary.”
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