ESPN personality Chris Berman, 70, announces retirement plans
· Yahoo Sports
ESPN personality Chris Berman has shared his retirement plans.
The sports commentator, 70, has been with the network for 47 years, joining ESPN just one month after its launch in 1979.
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In a recent appearance on the CNBC Sport podcast, Berman — whose nickname is “Boomer” on the network — told Alex Sherman that he would soon be hanging up his microphone for good.
“I did tell our president, Jimmy Pitaro, when they were foolish enough to sign me — I’m going to be here 50 years,” he recalled. “I said, ‘You may never have another guy or woman here (50 years). I don’t know.”
Berman then said he would fulfill his current contract with ESPN through the 2029 football season before retiring. “You’ve got to have a gold Mickey Mouse watch in somebody’s drawer that you could give to me when I get to 50 years in 2029,” he added.
Long-time ESPN personality Chris Berman revealed his plans to retire after 2029 (Getty Images)Despite the commentator beginning to cut back on his responsibilities and making fewer appearances on the network, Berman said he was proud of everything he had contributed thus far.
“I’ll be almost 75, I think the nation’s more than had enough of me,” he said. “I’m semi-retired now. I’m just so proud of where we’ve been from Day 1 to getting a Super Bowl.”
ESPN will cover next year’s Super Bowl on February 14, 2027. Berman is expected to play a large part in the network’s coverage.
Berman has been an integral part of many shows on the network, including SportsCenter and the relaunch of NFL Primetime on ESPN+ with Booger McFarland. He also anchored both Monday Night Countdown and Sunday NFL Countdown when they were airing on ESPN, in addition to contributing to the network’s Major League Baseball coverage over the years.
Berman started working for ESPN one month after the network first launched (Getty Images)Along with his “Boomer” nickname, he is most known for the sayings he would use during some of his broadcast coverage, including, “He could…go…all…the…way!” and “Back, back, back, back…Gone!”
The network announced an extension to his current contract in May 2025 as Pitaro gushed about Berman’s accomplishments.
“For a remarkable half-century, Chris has embodied ESPN with his smart and entertaining style,” Pitaro said. “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.”