Report: Chris Berman signs contract extension with ESPN

Chris Berman and ESPN have agreed to a multi-year contract extension, according to Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports. The agreement will take him through ESPN’s first Super Bowl in 2027, and his record 50th year at the World Wide Leader.

“The six-time national sportscaster of the year will contribute to ESPN’s coverage of Super Bowl LXI on Feb. 14, 2027, in Los Angeles,” McCarthy wrote. “… The 2027 Super Bowl will be the 45th Berman has covered. ESPN’s Super Bowl coverage will be simulcast on sister Disney network ABC.

“The legendary sportscaster joined ESPN a month after its launch on September 7, 1979. The extension will take him through the company’s 50th birthday on Sep. 7, 2029. A few weeks later, he’ll become the first person to spend five decades with the company.”

In a statement, Berman spoke about how grateful he is that the extension came together, recognizing he’ll be making history with ESPN by the end of it: “I came to ESPN at 24 years young for my first full-time TV job,” Berman stated in a press release, via McCarthy. “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.

“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.”

ESPN broadcasting the Super Bowl without Berman would’ve felt incomplete. Now, the Swami will be a part of the coverage, playing a pivotal role. The company’s chairman Jimmy Pitaro heaped praise on Berman as well, stating his belief that Berman’s presence will only enhance the broadcast.

“For a remarkable half-century, Chris has embodied ESPN with his smart and entertaining style,” Pitaro said in a press release, via McCarthy. “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.”

ESPN will have to wait until 2027 to broadcast the Super Bowl, but when the time comes, it’s evident Chris Berman will play a major role in their version, as he should. This will certainly be welcome news in the sports media world, as one of the more beloved personalities in NFL history will finally get to be a part of the Super Bowl.