ESPN is in talks with Chris Berman about an expanded role for this NFL season, sources have told The NYPost.
There is a hope that Berman could work a quarter of the NFL season, according to sources. ESPN would want Berman for more, but in semi-retirement, Berman already has made plans for some weekends, and so that is likely unfeasible — at least for this year.
In addition to appearing on “SportsCenter” this season, Berman could do more features and interviews to aid “Sunday NFL Countdown,” whose ratings dropped by double digits in his first year away from the program.
Berman, arguably the most significant on-air personality in ESPN’s history, accepted a lesser role with the company at the conclusion of the 2016-17 football season. The reduction of Berman’s role was spearheaded by ex-ESPN president John Skipper.
Though Skipper jettisoned Berman, he did keep Berman on the payroll, but in a very limited role that included no Sunday regular-season gig. Berman does do a weekly spot centered around history for “Monday NFL Countdown.”
After the NFL conference championship games and the Super Bowl, Berman is scheduled to host “NFL Primetime.” He also does the radio call of an MLB divisional playoff series.
With Berman gone last year, the “Sunday NFL Countdown” ratings suffered. Without Berman as the familiar face leading “Countdown,” the show’s numbers were down 12 percent. Sam Ponder replaced Berman as the host.
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