What is Chris Berman's Net Worth and Salary?
Chris Berman is an American sportscaster with a net worth of $30 million. Widely recognized as the "face of ESPN," Berman has earned a reputable position within the world of sports broadcasting. Throughout his illustrious career, Chris has received several prestigious awards, including the National Sportscaster of the Year Award and Sportscaster of the Year Award.
Chris joined ESPN as an anchor in 1979, playing a crucial role in the early days of the network by hosting several shows. Known affectionately as "Boomer," Chris contributed significantly to ESPN's prominence in sports entertainment. Although he stepped down from many roles in 2017, Berman remains active within the network in various capacities. Famous for his distinctive catchphrases and unique mannerisms, his career spans more than three decades.
Early Life
Christopher James Berman was born on May 10, 1955, in Greenwich, Connecticut. Raised in an affluent Jewish household, his father was a corporate executive vice president, and his mother, Peggy, was a reporter for "Time" magazine. This early exposure may have inspired his interest in journalism. Though born in Greenwich, Berman was primarily raised in Irvington, New York. After high school, he attended Brown University, graduating in 1977 with a degree in history. During college, Berman had his first taste of journalism as the sports director of the school's radio station.
Career
After a short stint as a weekend sports anchor at an NBC affiliate in Hartford, Berman joined ESPN just one month after its inception. He worked alongside early figures like Bob Ley, laying the groundwork for ESPN's future success. Today, Berman is the only remaining sports anchor from the network's earliest years. He became famous for hosting various NFL shows, including "Sunday NFL Countdown" and "Monday Night Countdown," and covering the Super Bowl for ABC Sports.
In 2010, Chris signed a multi-year deal with ESPN, allowing him to continue hosting NFL events and expanding his role to cover golf, baseball, and other sports. This contract was set to expire at the end of 2016.
By 2012, ESPN began responding to the mixed feelings about Berman's popularity. While many appreciated his unique style, others felt his humor was outdated or possibly offensive. Social media platforms like Twitter became outlets for criticism. Some fans questioned his suitability for non-NFL events, feeling that his "bombastic style" was ill-suited for prestigious events like golf.
Appearances in Film and Television
Outside sportscasting, Chris Berman has appeared in several films and television series. He portrayed himself in two Adam Sandler films: "The Waterboy" and "The Longest Yard." Other film appearances include "Necessary Roughness," "The Program," "Little Big League," "Eddie," "Kingpin," and "Grown Ups 2." Additionally, he has appeared in commercials for Nutrisystem weight loss products.
Relationships
In 1983, Chris married Katherine Alexinski. Together, they had two children and raised them in a Jewish household in Cheshire, Connecticut. In 2017, Kathy tragically passed away in a car crash in Woodbury.
In 2018, it was revealed that Kathy had a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit at the time of her fatal crash. Investigations revealed she was speeding and failed to apply the brakes before rear-ending another driver, leading to a collision that killed both drivers. Kathy died from blunt force trauma and drowning when her vehicle fell into a body of water. Further investigation found traces of oxycodone and antidepressants in her system. The other driver had just visited his wife's grave when struck by Kathy's Lexus. With both drivers deceased, State police closed the investigation without pressing charges, officially ruling the collision an accident.
Real Estate
In 1988, Chris purchased an undeveloped 3-acre plot in Connecticut for $420,000. A year later, he constructed a multi-structure compound on the property.
Controversies
In 2015, Chris Berman was involved in a sexual harassment claim settled by ESPN. Sue Baumann, a makeup artist, alleged inappropriate comments from Berman both in the makeup room and through text messages. ESPN's legal team chose to settle the claim, which they deemed "without merit," without going to court. Although the settlement amount was not disclosed, it was presumed to be significant.
In 2018, Berman faced controversy over a 2016 incident involving a racially disparaging voicemail left for Jemele Hill, an American sports journalist. Hill also alleged threats from Berman and reported the incident to senior ESPN executives. However, no actions were taken. ESPN's legal team again declared the claims "without merit," and Hill herself clarified that Berman had not made any racially disparaging comments toward her.
The lawsuit was filed by Adrienne Lawrence, who had previously been terminated from ESPN. Over the years, critics have accused Berman of inappropriate behavior or comments toward women, although no definitive evidence has emerged from these allegations.
