When it comes to Chris Berman, he Could...Go...All...The...Way!
Legendary anchor Chris Berman, who joined ESPN just after its September 7, 1979, launch, has extended his contract, the network announced Monday.
The new deal means that Berman, who is known for his iconic catch phrases like Back, Back, Back, Back, Back” and “Whoop!” would become the first employee to celebrate their 50th anniversary at ESPN.
Berman, 70, has served in a wide variety of roles at ESPN, but he is most closely associated with its NFL coverage. He’s hosted the NFL draft and has been the host of NFL PrimeTime, which continues in 2025 on ESPN+.
In 2000, 2003 and 2006, Berman anchored ABC’s Super Bowl XXXIV, XXXVII and XL pre-game shows and he will contribute to the coverage of ESPN’s first Super Bowl on February 14, 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, a recipient of the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award from the Pro Football Hall of Fame, 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. 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.”
Berman joined ESPN on October 1, 1979. He is a six-time National Sportscaster of the Year and a member of several Halls of Fame, including the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame, the National Sports Media Association (formerly NSSA) Hall of Fame and Cable Hall of Fame.
In addition to NFL PrimeTime, he hosted NFL Countdown for 31 years and appeared on ESPN’s flagship SportsCenter during the network’s first 11 years.
Berman’s signature weekly halftime highlights trip through the NFL, “The Fastest Three Minutes in Television.” was a staple on ESPN’s Sunday Night Football for all 19 years (1987-2005) and continued Monday Nights through 2016 and returned in 2019.
There’s also The “Swami,” Berman’s prognosticating alter-ego, who provided weekly NFL predictions and observations on SportsCenter starting in ESPN’s first year in 1979.
Berman is also known for his MLB coverage at ESPN, using his expertise during 31 All-Star games and 30 World Series, including the 1989 San Francisco Earthquake.
Berman has long been a favorite among fans thanks to his lighthearted and humorous approach, including his countless on-the-spot nicknames for players.
According to ESPN, some of his favorites include Bert “Be Home” Blyleven, Roberto “Remember the” Alomar, and Jim “Two Silhouettes On” Deshaies for baseball; plus Andre “Bad Moon Rison and Mike “You’re in Good Hands with” Alstott for football.
“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,” said ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro.
Berman began his career as a disc jockey, sports expert and traffic reporter first at WERI in Westerly, R.I. and then WNVR In Waterbury, Conn.
His first TV assignment was as a weekend sports anchor on WVIT in Hartford, Conn. in the summer of 1979.