Latest news with #ChrisBerman
USA Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Our Q&A with ESPN's Chris Berman: Boomer gives us his best golf nicknames
Chris may no longer be broadcasting the U.S Open on ESPN as he did for many years but he's still very present in the world of golf. He's an unofficial ambassador at The Sentry, where he has a home in Kapalua and doesn't mind bragging about the time he won the pro-am with Xander Schauffele as his partner. His other longtime home is in Connecticut and he's been involved with the Travelers Championship, the Tour's annual stop at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell for longer than Sammy Davis Jr. As is custom, Berman will serve as emcee of the trophy ceremony on Sunday. Berman, 70, has extended his contract with ESPN through 2029, which would make him ESPN's first employee to celebrate their 50th anniversary with the company. The 2027 Super Bowl will be the 45th that Berman will have worked for ESPN. Berman joined ESPN on Oct. 1, 1979, and is a six-time National Sportscaster of the Year and a member of several Halls of Fame, including the Sports Broadcasting HOF, the National Sports Media Association HOF and Cable HOF. Golfweek caught up with him earlier this year and shared some of our favorite nicknames he coined, including from the world of baseball: Luis Funky Cold Medina, Bert Be Home Blyeven and Oddibe Young Again McDowell. Golfweek: You're part of the furniture at the Sentry and Travelers Championship. Where does your love of golf stem from? Chris Berman: I never really played when I was young. My dad had a set of clubs in the garage and he maybe played three times a year. He'd rather spend time with his boys. But I always liked it, I always watched the Bing Crosby, the Masters and then the U.S. Open in 1974 at Winged Foot was a big deal. I was a freshman in college, I think, and one of my dad's business associates lived near the third green. I snuck on the course all four days and that kind of got me going a little bit. Seve was my guy. Late in my 20s, when we were all working late at ESPN on weekends, some of us would get together and play at a public course at 10 o'clock on a weekday and then roll into work at 4. GWK: Why do you think golf appeals to athletes from so many sports? CB: I think it's the ultimate challenge because you're testing yourself. The ball is stationary. NFL kickers and hockey players are the best golfers as a group. Maybe because the puck can be stationary and of course in kicking the ball is stationary. Sterling Sharpe worked with us on TV. He never played golf until after he retired. He's like a scratch. But not every great athlete is a good golfer. I think they like the challenge of being able to improve. More: Former U.S. Open host Chris Berman signs extension with ESPN, will reach 50 years GWK: You're beloved for your clever player nicknames but what player got the most upset with the one you coined for him? CB: Nobody really in golf. Let me think of the golf nicknames back when I was on the air every day. We had Ground Control to David Toms. He liked it. He'd smile at it. I think he was more kidding, but Mark Lye was Mark 'Unplayable' Lye. He thought I was making fun of his golf game for about 10 seconds. I said, No, it's a golf term. When Jose-Maria Olazabal first arrived on the scene, we didn't know how to pronounce his last name. We thought it was Oh-loz-uh-ball, and I go, Oh my goodness, it's the greatest golf name ever. Two strokes for a lost ball, you know? And well, it's Oh-lah-thah-bull. I went, shoot, that doesn't work, damn it. Curtis Strange was insert your favorite song. People are Strange, you know, Strange Brew. He liked it because he's a music guy. Joey Sindelar, who I played in the Travelers pro-am with 12-13 times and we became good friends, he was Joey Seven Deadly Sin-delars. When Xander won (the Travelers in 2022), he demanded that I give him a nickname. I had to chew on it. I went Xander Killing Me Schauffele With His Song, which I think is not bad. He and I won the Sentry pro-am, though I can't take too much credit for that. [As emcee at Travelers media day, Berman attempted to coin one for Scottie Scheffler on the spot. 'I'll be better in June, but off the year you had last year, there's no other way to describe it but 'Top Scheffler.' That's OK? Is that all right for now? Is that like a ball mark on the green?' 'That's great. If it's good with you, it's good with me. That's more your forte than mine,' Scheffler said.] For Max Homa, I've used Homa is Where my Heart is or Homa Sweet Homa, which anybody could come up with; they're interchangeable. Sam Burns, you can usually go Third-Degree Burns for Sam, I don't know that I've used it yet. I did use Jon CD-Rahm. I don't think I've gone for the easy one with Jason Day. You know, it's a Beautiful Day or something, as opposed to Glenn 'All' Day, which was not my nickname, but it was very apropos. Adam Scott, I didn't do because it's 'Great, Scott,' that's too easy. Davis Love III was, Might as well face it, you're addicted to Love. You know, a lot of rock and roll ones. [He texted later with two current pros that were top shelf: Patton 'Street Car Named' Kizzire and Sahith It's Not Just the Party, It's Theegala.] None of mine are derogatory. I'll give you a baseball one that he really wasn't that pissed, but a long time ago Kevin Bass, who played for Houston and a lot of other places, an All-Star a few times, he brought it to my attention that he wasn't fond of my nickname. We were at the batting cage and he goes, 'Can I talk to you for a minute, Chris, because you call me Kevin Large-mouth Bass.' I said, 'Yeah, the fish.' He goes, 'I know, but it makes me sound like a complainer. I said, 'OK, that's actually very fair. I certainly had no intention.' He goes, 'I'm sure you didn't, but it makes me sound like I'm a big mouth and pain in the ass in the clubhouse or whatever.' You know, it kind of stunned me for a minute. We were friendly, and just to show you how quote-unquote upset he was, I said, 'Well, how about Kevin Small-mouth Bass?' He goes, 'Perfect. Go with it.' So that was an easy negotiation. GWK: Were you too loud for golf? CB: Oh, hell no. The golfers loved it. Professionally, I've never had more fun in my life. I always covered the U.S. Open with Andy North in the evening, prime time, and that's different. You're trying to bring people in that haven't watched it all day, a lot of casual sports fans. And you know, nobody is for everybody. People complained about Johnny Miller and he forgot more golf than you and I and 100 of our best friends combined would ever know, right? I'll give you an example. In 2010, they shaved the left side by the green at Pebble on 14. Y.E. Yang hit a shot and it just trickled down the left side into that collection area. And so he took a putter, which you and I would probably do, and putted it up the hill, and it got to the top, and it stayed there for a second, and then it rolled right back down like miniature golf, right back to his feet. He stares at it, he's pissed. He goes to the bag and he gets a wedge to chip with from almost the exact same spot. We've all been there. And he chips it up there, pretty good shot until it runs out of steam. It rolls back down to his feet, and you can see the smoke coming out of his ears. But he's looking at his caddie. He's looking at the bag, he's looking at the ball. He's really annoyed. He doesn't even grab a club for a good 30+ seconds. So, I said, 'And now, what, the ball retriever?' I wasn't trying to make fun of him. He hadn't made a move yet for a club. A couple of golf scribes didn't think that was appropriate. Later that night in the Tap Room, Lee Westwood comes over. He said, 'When you said the ball retriever, I fell off my bloody couch laughing.' So there's your answer. I wasn't trying to make fun of him. It was like, we've all been there. But I wasn't trying to be anybody that I wasn't. I was just trying to do the best job. But that's why they have different flavors of ice cream. Not everyone likes vanilla, chocolate or smurf. GWK: What's the course you've never played that you most want to play? CB: I've played Augusta once and St. Andrews once. Seminole is one I'd like to do. I've never played Pine Valley, which is in the northeast, so I should really get there. Pebble Beach is my favorite. That's where God waits for a tee time. I've told them this for a while, but I used to say when I completely retire, I'd like to own the concession and drive the beverage cart at Pebble Beach. That would be fun.
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Is a Chiefs-Eagles Super Bowl rematch the most likely scenario according to ESPN's latest rankings?
ESPN's latest Football Power Index predicts a potential Chiefs vs. Eagles Super Bowl rematch, highlighting both teams as top contenders. (Getty Images) As ESPN unveiled its latest Football Power Index (FPI) rankings on Wednesday, the 2025 NFL season already feels like it's brimming with possibilities. With the Kansas City Chiefs securing the No. 2 spot in the rankings at +5.4, just behind the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles (+5.5), fans and analysts alike are buzzing about a potential repeat showdown in Super Bowl LIX. Though projections and statistics often dominate preseason narratives, the human element of football remains ever-present. As the iconic ESPN figure Chris Berman once said, 'That's why they play the games.' And indeed, despite all the models and metrics, there's still a staggering 95.8% chance that a different matchup takes the stage in February. Are Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs the top threat to the Eagles' Super Bowl redemption hopes? The most likely Super Bowl pairing, according to the FPI, is a repeat of the 2023 classic: Kansas City vs. Philadelphia. ESPN's Seth Walder noted, 'Two of the past three Super Bowls have been between Kansas City and Philadelphia. Will it be three of four?' With a 4.2% probability—higher than any other combination—the Chiefs and Eagles are the heavyweights in this year's projections. The next most likely matchups? Ravens-Eagles and Bills-Eagles, sitting at 3.6% each. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Kickstart your new journey with the Honda Shine 125 Honda Learn More Undo Still, while the statistical edge lies with these powerhouses, football history reminds us that anything can happen over the course of a grueling NFL season. Injuries, breakout stars, coaching strategies, and momentum shifts often turn predictions into afterthoughts by the time February rolls around. While much of the national conversation focuses on emerging challengers and underdog narratives, Kansas City continues to reload with precision. The dominance that the Chiefs have maintained in the AFC West still feels significant. Despite improvements made by the Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos, and Las Vegas Raiders, Kansas City's edge remains apparent. What often goes unnoticed is how the Chiefs themselves have improved during the offseason. The team addressed key gaps with promising additions. Veterans like left tackle Jaylon Moore and cornerback Kristian Fulton are expected to be Day 1 starters. Meanwhile, high-upside rookies such as offensive lineman Josh Simmons and defensive linemen Omarr Norman-Lott and Ashton Gillottee bring fresh talent to both trenches—especially notable considering Gillottee and Norman-Lott posted some of the draft's best pass-rushing metrics. While bold takes and dark horse picks dominate preseason chatter, analytical models help separate hype from hard data. The AFC West's FPI ratings reflect that Kansas City still owns the division. The Chargers follow at +2.1, Denver sits at +1.3, and Las Vegas trails at -2.0. Despite being the top-ranked team, the Eagles have just a 12% chance to win the Super Bowl—remarkably, the lowest for any preseason favorite since ESPN began projecting in 2015. This speaks to the NFL's increasing parity. The elite group—Philadelphia, Kansas City, Baltimore, Detroit, and Buffalo—is separated by a mere single FPI point. On any neutral field, no team in this tier would be favored by more than one point. Yet a sharp 1.8-point drop-off to the sixth-ranked Washington Commanders underlines the tier's exclusivity. These five teams form the core of the NFL's current power structure. With the 2025 season on the horizon, the road to Super Bowl LIX remains uncertain—but if early projections hold, the Chiefs and Eagles may be destined for another epic collision. Then again, as Berman aptly reminds us, 'That's why they play the games.' Also Read: Are the Chiefs falling behind? Bills emerge as surprising AFC favorites heading into the 2025 season Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
NFL insider slammed for poorly-worded tweet that made fans think legendary anchor had DIED
Chris Berman has been one of the longest tenured employees at ESPN and is a familiar face to American sports fans across the country. So when news came that the Connecticut native had extended his contract at the Worldwide Leader in Sports, it was sure to be a joyful occasion. That is, it was going to be, if fans hadn't briefly feared the worst thanks to the wording of a tweet from one of Berman's colleagues. ESPN's NFL insider, Adam Schefter, posted a tweet announcing Berman's new deal - but framed it in a way that many users believed that he was announcing the 70-year-old's death. 'Legendary ESPN anchor Chris Berman, who joined the network just after its September 7, 1979, launch, has extended his contract,' Schefter posted. In the parlance of social media, that turn of phrase is typically the way that someone would begin to write a death announcement. A number of fans took issue with Schefter's wording and roasted him online for it. 'Heart skipped a beat after the first line,' wrote one user on X, formerly Twitter. Another scolded Schefter: 'don't ever start a tweet like that again.' 'when it comes to old people yall gotta start tweets like this with "GOOD NEWS!",' another user suggested. The account for the Sleeper fantasy sports app posted, 'Are you trying to give us heart problems Adam.' Berman has been a staple of the network for decades, most notably as a host for 'Sunday NFL Countdown', 'Monday Night Countdown', and 'NFL Primetime'. Outside the NFL, Berman has held roles for coverage of the Home Run Derby, the Stanley Cup Finals, and golf tournaments like the US Open and the Travelers Championship. If Berman stays in this role until 2029, he'll be the first employee at the cable television company to have stayed there for 50 years.
USA Today
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Former U.S. Open host Chris Berman signs extension with ESPN, will reach 50 years
Former U.S. Open host Chris Berman signs extension with ESPN, will reach 50 years Longtime ESPN anchor Chris Berman has agreed to a multiyear contract extension that will keep him with the network through 2029, when he will become ESPN's first 50-year employee. Berman, 70, will have a prominent role in the network's first Super Bowl broadcast in 2027 and continue to host the signature "NFL PrimeTime" show on ESPN+, according to a network press release announcing the extension. A major golf fan, Berman was the host of the network's U.S. Open nightly show from 1986–2014, as well as the network's U.S. Open anchor from 2003–2014. 'I came to ESPN at 24 years young for my first full-time TV job. I had a full head of hair, was wet behind the ears, and my assignment was to host the wrap-up SportsCenter at 2:30 a.m. ESPN had been on the air for less than a month and we had fewer than 100 employees," Berman said. 'Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined turning 70 and still being here at our network, which long ago became an icon of sports broadcasting. We're closing in on our very first Super Bowl, and now I will be able to be part of that, too." A six-time national sportscaster of the year, Berman was hired just after ESPN launched on Sept. 7, 1979. He quickly became known for the creative nicknames he gave to sports figures, and he became an icon as the primary voice of "NFL PrimeTime," the Sunday night highlight show on ESPN that ran from 1987 to 2005 on ESPN and since 2006 on ESPN+. Berman has covered 43 Super Bowls for ESPN, as well as 30 World Series and 31 MLB All-Star Games. All the NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.
Washington Post
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Chris Berman signs extension with ESPN that will take him through network's 50th anniversary in 2029
BRISTOL, Conn. — Chris Berman has agreed to a new contract with ESPN that will take him through the network's 50th anniversary in 2029. The multiyear agreement was announced on Monday. Berman celebrated his 70th birthday on Saturday. 'Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined turning 70 and still being here at our network, which long ago became an icon of sports broadcasting,' Berman said in a statement. 'We're closing in on our very first Super Bowl (in 2027), and now I will be able to be part of that, too.'
