Chris Berman Signs New Deal That Will Keep Him With ESPN Through 2029
Legendary broadcaster Chris Berman has inked a new deal with ESPN, which will make him the first network employee to celebrate 50 years with The Worldwide Leader in Sports.
Berman joined ESPN on September 8, 1979, launching a career that would make him one of the most recognizable names in sports media.
“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,” he recalled in a statement.
Photo: Times of Israel
“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.”
‘SportsCenter’ and NFL GameDay
Berman spent the first ten years of his ESPN career hosting SportsCenter, NFL GameDay, and later NFL Countdown. During this time, he debuted his popular “Swami” character.
Photo: ESPN
Eventually, however, it was his work on NFL PrimeTime that would make him a household name.
‘NFL Primetime’
The new show launched in 1987, as soon as ESPN got its first football rights, and would eventually become the highest-rated studio show in cable history. During Berman’s 31 years on the program, he revolutionized sports media and created some of the most memorable nicknames and catchphrases in sports.
Photo: IMDB
His partnership with Tom Jackson on PrimeTime was legendary.
Work Outside of Primetime
Outside of his work on NFL PrimeTime, Berman became famous for his Fastest Three Minutes segment, which originally aired during Sunday Night Football before moving to Monday Night Football.
Photo: ESPN
Additionally, Berman would become legendary for announcing the MLB Home Run Derby, coining the catchphrase “Back, Back, Back, Back, Back.”
Reflecting on his new deal, Berman called his career “mind-blowing.”
“My thank yous are to everyone who has worked at ESPN-past, present and future. The same goes out to our viewers-past, present and future-as you welcome us into your homes with the same love of sports we have,” he said.
Chris Berman in the ESPN Newsroom. Photo: ESPN
“It is mind-blowing to think that I now have the opportunity and good fortune to work here for 50 years, which would be two-thirds of my entire life!”
Jimmy Pitaro Celebrates Berman’s Legacy
For his part, ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro was effusive in his praise of Berman.
Photo: Disney
“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 has been so fortunate to have Chris making us better for decades and I am delighted that will continue beyond our 50th anniversary,” he said.
Photo: ESPN
“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.”
