Chris Berman to retire from ESPN after 2016-17 NFL season [Report]

There is speculation that ESPN sportscaster Chris Berman will retire after the 2016-17 NFL season.

This is the final year of Berman’s contract with ESPN, which expires after the 2016-17 NFL season. Berman is expected to retire and not join another network, according to The Big Lead, which first reported the news. He could have a broadcasting emeritus role in 2017-18 according to ESPN sources. The emeritus role would include being a part of the networks NFL postseason or Super Bowl coverage.

ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz declined to comment on the report of Berman retiring. New York Times reporter Richard Sandomir talked with Berman’s agent who denied that Berman is retiring.

Chris Berman's agent denies retirement report:"Chris is NOT retiring. Loves what he's doing too much and is too young to hang 'em up."

— Richard Sandomir (@RichSandomir) May 27, 2016

Berman's agent adds, on retirement report: "Perhaps people with an agenda put it out there."

— Richard Sandomir (@RichSandomir) May 27, 2016

Berman joined ESPN in October 1979, one month after the network was founded. In 2012 he re-signed a contract with the network. He has hosted Sunday NFL Countdown for 31 years, Monday Night Countdown, NFL Prime Time from 1987 to 2005, has been part of the NFL draft coverage since 1981 and has anchored the networks NFL draft coverage since 1987, according to Sports Illustrated. From 1979 to 1990 he hosted SportsCenter. He has also hosted Baseball Tonight and been a play-by-play announcer for the networks Major League Baseball games. He has covered the U.S. Open golf tournament and the Stanley Cup playoffs.

NFL Live host Trey Wingo is considered to be a natural fit to replace Berman. However, there is a push to have Suzy Kolber replace Berman. It will be interesting to see if Berman does retire and who replaces him if he does.