Chris Berman leaving ESPN NFL studio, stays with network in new role

[JonLP24]

Chris Berman is stepping down from his post of hosting ESPN's NFL studio programming after 31 seasons but will remain with the network in a number of different roles after signing a new contract on Thursday.

Berman, a six-time National Sportscaster of the Year honoree, will remain as ESPN's host of NFL Primetime highlights after the NFL championship week games and the Super Bowl, and will have a role on Monday Night Countdown, offering opinion and perspective on historical events in the NFL. He will also call an MLB division series for ESPN Radio, and be part of the ESPY awards.

Berman will also make appearances on-air in other capacities and serve in other public-facing roles for the company, ESPN said in a statement. He will no longer host the NFL draft or Major League Baseball's Home Run Derby.

"The whole experience here has been a dream come true," Berman, who joined ESPN a month after the network launched, said in the statement. "When we started in 1979, I was just 24. Nobody knew if ESPN would make it, or, for that matter, if cable TV would make it. I certainly wasn't sure I would make it, but I really didn't care. We were too busy having a blast, talking sports with viewers who were just like us, even if it was during the wee hours of the morning. We got to band together here in Bristol, Connecticut, and put out a product of which we were all very proud.

http://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/18413458/chris-berman-leaving-espn-nfl-host-role-remains-network-new-deal

[trotsky]

1. I know he annoyed many people, but I always enjoyed his coverage.

And yes, I even enjoyed the "whoooop"s and "rumblin' bumblin' stumblin'"s too.

Mike "You're in good hands with" Alstott

Eric "Sleeping With" Bienemy

And so forth. Plus it can't be denied, he and Tom Jackson had a great chemistry.

[JonLP24]

2. I miss the old ESPN

Aside from the late night Sportscenter, they don't show highlights anymore. There is just too much talking in Sportscenter coast to coast and Scott Van Pelt's show. Now they switched their ESPN2 programming to ESPN.

I tried watching the current NFL Primetime with Trey. Wingo & Todd Hasselbeck. It needs Primetime music.

I used to love the show Monday Morning QB they'd have reporters at team facilities, numerous coaches and players press conferences. Exciting to see how team's were getting ready for the next game like Broncos/Chiefs week.

I think ESPN is moving away from what made them the channel that it is.

[Auggie]

7. It all went south when NBC took over Sunday Night Football

I've always believed part of the NBC deal was that the NFL made ESPN revamp/reschedule PrimeTime to favor Football Night in America. And what a goddamn shame. PrimeTime was an in-depth football show— highlights were part of the entire game story, repercussions of the outcome, and what to look for in the coming week. Berman and Tom Jackson did a masterful job hosting it.

NBC fucks up EVERYTHING they touch. If they don't over-produce it they dumb it down.

[Yavin4]

8. ESPN is dying a slow death

Just like MTV, they're no longer relevant.

[True Dough]

3. It was a good run for Berman

I enjoyed his shtick. It is astounding the number of nicknames that Boomer came up with:

René Kook Arocha
Tony Brothers in Armas
Scott Respect Your Aldred
Brady Bunch Anderson
Shawn Lil' Abner
Rick See Ya Later Aguilera
Juan Real Agosto
Steve Ebony and Avery
Jim Hey Abbott
Luis Alicea in Wonderland
Joey Cask Of Amalfatano
Rich Protect Your Car With Amaral
Mike Enough Aldretti
Bill Almon Joy
Doyle Brandy Alexander
Roberto Remember the Alomar
Dana Allison Wonderland
Joaquin the Dog Andujar
Paul Orville Assenmacher
Mike In Good Hands with Allstott
Oscar Azocar Named Desire
Steve Poison Avery
Jesus Skip To My Alou

And that's just the As!!! The rest of 'em can be found here:

http://www.funny2.com/berman.htm

[ProfessorGAC]

5. The Nicknames Were My Favorite Part of His Bit

The "RRRRAAAIIIDDERS" of "GGGGGMMMMAAANNNN" thing i found annoying, but i always found the nickname thing fun.

[RockaFowler]

6. My favorite was always his team names

San Diego Super Chargers
and
No-one circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills

I really like Chris Berman and I think he'll be missed surely on Countdown. He was that show!!

[Jamaal510]

4. "He could...go...all...the...way!"

I don't watch ESPN that much anymore, but when I did, I used to always get a kick out of that.