Chris Berman announces retirement plans: Why ESPN broadcast legend is ready to step away after his 50th year

Chris Berman announced that he plans to retire after his current contract with ESPN ends. 

Berman has been with the company since 1979, and if he works through his contract, it would end following the 2029 NFL season. He would be the first ESPN employee to reach the 50-year mark with the company. 

Berman is known for his iconic voice and over-the-top calls, whether it be for live action or on highlight shows. While he used to anchor the staple NFL shows, he currently does a football recap show, and a segment during halftime of "Monday Night Football" called "Fastest Three Minutes," where he recaps all of the action of that week in football. 

Here is more on Berman's plan to retire after his contract expires following the 2029 NFL season. 

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Chris Berman announces retirement date

Berman made an appearance on the CNBC Sports podcast with Alex Sherman. He discussed his current contract with ESPN and said that it ends following the 2029 NFL season. Berman then added that he plans to retire after his current contract ends. 

The sports anchor has been known for his 31-year stint on Monday Night Countdown and his 10-year stint on Sunday NFL Countdown. Berman was also the iconic voice of MLB's Home Run Derby for many years. 

How old is Chris Berman?

Berman was born on May 10, 1955. He is 70 years old, but will turn 71 before the start of the 2026 NFL Season. Berman will be just shy of his 75th birthday if he retires as planned. 

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What is Chris Berman's net worth?

According to CelebrityNetWorth.com, Berman has a net worth of $40 million. If he stays with ESPN through the length of the deal, he will be the company's first-ever 50-year employee. 

Chris Berman broadcast highlights

He Could...Go...All...The...Way

One of Berman's most iconic quips is when he narrates a highlight reel play of an NFL player running in space on the field as they near the end zone. 

Berman also applied the legendary call to his coworker, Laura Rutledge, who had to sprint from one side of the field to the other for an interview during the Sugar Bowl.

Back, back, back, back, back

Berman used this call while serving as the announcer for the Home Run Derby. While a small addition, it helped increase the enjoyment of the monster home runs trying to see how many "back"s he could get out before the ball landed.

Good luck beating this tonight, fellas. #HRDerby pic.twitter.com/8s506ntgWT

Whooop!

Berman is one of the best commentating highlight reel plays. Anytime a player had a big cutback or broke the ankles of the opponent, Berman let out a big "WHOOP!" that will be ingrained into your brain.

What an all-time Chris Berman "WHOOP," it wasn't that serious ☠️ pic.twitter.com/3aezDNHEuJ