ESPN’s longest-tenured employee could go all the way to the 50-year mark as part of his latest contract extension.
ESPN announced Monday it has reached an extension with NFL host Chris Berman to remain with the network through at least 2029. The extension will make Berman the first person to work for ESPN for 50 years and allow him to be a part of the network’s Super Bowl coverage in 2027.
Berman is most closely associated with his role alongside Tom Jackson as the host of ESPN’s NFL Primetime studio show, which ran on Sunday nights from 1987 to 2005, during a time when NFL highlights were must-see television, rather than immediately ubiquitous in today’s social media environment. His iconic catchprases and lighthearted nicknames helped cement the show as appointment viewing for football fans.
Berman continues to host an ESPN+ edition of the show since 2019 and also appears on Monday Night Football to deliver his “Fastest Three Minutes” highlight segment. Berman also hosted Sunday NFL Countdown for 31 years. In recent years, the role of the legendary broadcaster has been diminished somewhat, having been replaced on the Sunday show by Sam Ponder, who would herself be replaced by Mike Greenberg.
Berman, who joined ESPN at age 24 in the first month of the network, stated in the announcement “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.” ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro said the network is “so fortunate to have Chris making us better for decades and I am delighted that will continue beyond our 50th anniversary.”
ESPN is set to televise its first Super Bowl on February 14, 2027. Berman previously hosted ABC Sports’ Super Bowl coverage in 2000, 2003, and 2006.
The six-time National Sportscaster of the Year also worked on ESPN’s coverage of Major League Baseball for nearly 40 years, performing play-by-play duties and hosting Baseball Tonight. Berman also continues to host the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony.
