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Chris Berman Will Retire After 2029 NFL Season

The veteran broadcaster will conclude his decades-long tenure at ESPN when his current contract expires in 2029.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Football

Bold vector editorial illustration of a studio microphone on a boom arm, representing the professional broadcasting career of Chris Berman.
Broadcaster Chris Berman plans to retire from ESPN in 2029, marking the conclusion of a nearly 50-year career at the network. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Chris Berman has announced plans to retire from ESPN following the conclusion of the 2029 NFL season. He will be 75 years old when his current broadcasting contract officially ends.

Why it matters

Berman is approaching a major 50-year career milestone at the network he joined at its inception. His departure marks the end of a long-standing era in sports media broadcasting history.

Berman will reach 50 years with the network at the end of his tenure, during which he will turn 75 years old. This timeline follows other network shifts, such as Rich Eisen hosting a special SportsCenter in 2026 after a 20-year hiatus.

The players

Chris Berman

He is a long-time sportscaster who has been with ESPN since the network first began operations.

Rich Eisen

He is a prominent sports broadcaster who returned to host a special edition of SportsCenter in 2026 after a long absence.

ESPN

This is a major American multinational basic cable sports channel owned by The Walt Disney Company.

The details

At the Tuned In summit in Manhattan, Berman noted he would proactively inform management if his broadcasting performance declines before his half-century anniversary at the network. While he plans to retire in 2029, he indicated he is open to discussing a potential short-duration extension if circumstances warrant.

Timeline

  1. 2019: NFL Primetime relaunched on ESPN+.

  2. April 2026: Rich Eisen hosted a special edition of SportsCenter.

  3. October 13, 2026: Berman discussed his future at the Tuned In summit.

  4. 2029: Chris Berman's current ESPN contract expires.

Season Trajectory

Berman's career trajectory at the network reflects the broader evolution of sports media, where long-term anchors are increasingly transitioning out of roles held since the inception of major cable sports brands. This move highlights the shifting landscape of sports broadcasting as networks move past the era of original foundational personalities.

Viewers can expect significant changes to the network's legacy programming lineup as it approaches the 2029 expiration date. The announcement clears the way for the network to finalize its long-term broadcasting roster heading into the next decade.

The takeaway

Berman's decision underscores the importance of long-term succession planning for major media institutions. Fans and industry observers should watch for how the network manages the transition of its foundational voices over the coming years.

Further reading

For more on the latest changes and coverage, visit Football.

Source note: This article includes information reported by New York Post.

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