ESPN Media News: Rich Eisen Returning, Chris Berman Extends Deal

Eisen is heading home to the mothership.

Per The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand, Eisen is returning to ESPN with his radio program, The Rich Eisen Show, as part of the company’s direct-to-consumer service, which launches this fall.

The Rich Eisen Show will move from Roku to ESPN. The show currently airs from noon to 3 p.m. ET. ESPN+ and Disney+ will carry The Rich Eisen Show.

The show might also air on ESPN Radio, though it’s not official.

Eisen is expected to retain ownership and editorial control of The Rich Eisen Show. It’s a licensing deal with ESPN, similar to Pat McAfee and his deal on The Pat McAfee Show.

Eisen will remain with NFL Network and continue to host GameDay, draft coverage, and announce several regular-season games. Eisen worked at ESPN from 1996 to 2003 before departing for NFL Network.

ESPN’s partnership with Eisen could grow if the company purchases NFL Media.

ESPN Extends Chris Berman

Boomer is staying with ESPN.

Berman and the Worldwide Leader in Sports have agreed to a new contract that extends through 2029.

That year marks the 50th anniversary of ESPN, which launched on September 7, 1979. Berman joined ESPN one month later.

If Berman remains with ESPN in 2029, he will become the company’s first employee to celebrate their 50th anniversary.

Berman is best known for covering the NFL, which he began in 1981. Berman will be part of ESPN’s first Super Bowl in 2027.

“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 in a statement. “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.

“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.”