Former U.S. Open host Chris Berman signs extension with ESPN, will reach 50 years
Former U.S. Open host Chris Berman signs extension with ESPN, will reach 50 years
Longtime ESPN anchor Chris Berman has agreed to a multiyear contract extension that will keep him with the network through 2029, when he will become ESPN's first 50-year employee.
Berman, 70, will have a prominent role in the network's first Super Bowl broadcast in 2027 and continue to host the signature "NFL PrimeTime" show on ESPN+, according to a network press release announcing the extension.
A major golf fan, Berman was the host of the network's U.S. Open nightly show from 1986–2014, as well as the network's U.S. Open anchor from 2003–2014.
'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.
'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."
A six-time national sportscaster of the year, Berman was hired just after ESPN launched on Sept. 7, 1979.
He quickly became known for the creative nicknames he gave to sports figures, and he became an icon as the primary voice of "NFL PrimeTime," the Sunday night highlight show on ESPN that ran from 1987 to 2005 on ESPN and since 2006 on ESPN+.
Berman has covered 43 Super Bowls for ESPN, as well as 30 World Series and 31 MLB All-Star Games.
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt (C+) If there is one coach on this list who deserves his flowers for what they have been able to do at the helm, it is Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Clark Lea. With the helpful addition of signal-caller Diego Pavia last season, Lea helped lead the Dores to a historic win over No. 1 Alabama and the school's first bowl game victory since 2013, in a 35-27 win over Georgia Tech in the Birmingham Bowl. Is there more magic left in the tank in Nashville? That is still to be seen. However, Lea has done an excellent job establishing a talented roster in preparation of the upcoming season, including retaining Pavia for one more year. The defensive unit still needs some work, but SEC teams should beware of the Dores in 2025. Arkansas, Sam Pittman (C-) The Sam Pittman era at Arkansas has been anything but spectacular. His inconsistency has led to a rapidly increasing dissatisfaction among the Razorbacks' fan base, who are clamoring for an opportunity to break through in a revamped era of college football finally. Pittman has yet to truly find his footing with the Hogs, despite finding a way to reach nine wins in 2021. The type of consistency, or lack thereof, produced by Pittman might be allowed or even celebrated in other conferences, but this is the SEC. If he wants to stay in Fayetteville for longer, he will need some help to take Arkansas to the next level. Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino definitely could help, but it might be too late for Pittman. Jeff Lebby, Mississippi State (D+) After finishing 2024 with just two wins, Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby received more hatred than well-wishes from fans. The Bulldogs may not be a blue-blood program in football, but they do produce a plethora of talent and always finish amongst the middle of the pack in the conference. 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This is going to be a rough season in Lexington, and it will likely be one that the program will want to forget forever. Stoops is on one of the hottest seats in America, which will likely ignite into a wildfire if he is not able to turn this ship around. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.
