ESPN's Berman Continues As NFL Host
Talent comes and goes at ESPN, but there are a handful of on-air personalities that represent so much of the network’s heritage it’s fair to say ESPN would have a hard time not renewing
contracts. One is Dick Vitale. Bob Ley is another. And, of course, Chris Berman, who joined the network in its founding year of 1979.
ESPN said Friday that Berman has re-upped in a
deal that will keep him at ESPN through about 2019, when the network will turn 40. His new deal takes effect next year.
Berman will remain as the main host of ESPN’s NFL studio
shows, such as “Sunday NFL Countdown” and the “Monday Night Football” halftime show, while also working the NFL draft.
In his days as a
“SportsCenter” host, Berman offered hilarious and clever nicknames for baseball players, such as Bert “Be Home” Blyleven and Butch “Oil And” Wynegar. Web sites have
archived them, and there are ample debates about all-time favorites.
ESPN President John Skipper stated: “On the day we commemorate our company’s birthday, it’s
fitting we extend our relationship with Chris, arguably the most recognizable face and voice in ESPN’s history. Since arriving in Bristol in 1979, Chris’ passion and enthusiasm, and, of
course his signature highlights, have long been his trademarks, earning him a special place among fans for more than three decades.”
Berman will host what’s now known as
“Sunday NFL Countdown” for a 28th year this fall and do play-by-play for an NFL game for the first time Monday.
“I never could have dreamed that ESPN would be my
home as a young man in his 20s all the way to a not-so-young man in his 60s,” Berman stated.
Recent MediaDailyNews Articles
-
Broadcasters Sue AereoKiller In DC May 24, 5:21 p.m.
Confirming their efforts to follow over-the-top TV services with legal filings in any market where they ... -
Cigarette Marketers Slice Mag Spending In 2011 May 24, 4:52 p.m.
The five major cigarette marketers nearly cut in half their collective magazine spending in 2011. The ... -
B2B Revenues Rises, Credits Events, Digital Ads May 24, 4:45 p.m.
Overall, business-to-business media revenues are growing, due to an upward trend in B2B trade shows which, ... -
Court Dismisses Defamation Suit Against WPP's Sorrell May 24, 3:31 p.m.
A New York Court has dismissed a defamation lawsuit brought against WPP CEO Sir Martin Sorrell.Sorrell ... -
MediaCom Races To Win FIA E Championship's AOR May 24, 12:37 p.m.
A start-up race car circuit, The FIA E Championship, has named WPP’s MediaCom as its agency ... -
Networks Tie For Last Month of the 2012-2013 Season, NBC Gains Ground May 24, 10:56 a.m.
The four major networks were in a virtual tie for the last month of the 2012-2013 ... -
Aereo Is Not Just For Cord-Cutters May 23, 6:34 p.m.
Are cord-cutters most likely to subscribe to Aereo? Not necessarily, according to early returns. CEO Chet ... -
Cars.com Drops Flag On NASCAR.com Sponsorship May 23, 6:25 p.m.
Cars.com has a need for speed. The site has a deal with Turner to sponsor a ... -
Worldwide Pay TV On The Rise, Big Growth In Asia May 23, 4:17 p.m.
North American pay TV subscribers may continue to show little or no growth for the first ... -
Activision Blizzard's Campaign Wins Grand Effie May 23, 4:12 p.m.
Video game marketer Activision Blizzards’ ad campaign “The Vet and the nOOb” for "Call of Duty: ...
Be the first to comment on "ESPN's Berman Continues As NFL Host"
Leave a Comment