PFT: Reports: NFL Network, DirecTV pursuing Berman

[WoodysGirl]

Posted by Evan Silva on February 8, 2010 10:55 PM ET

ESPN [strike]analyst[/strike] personality Chris Berman's contract with the World Wide Leader is set to expire in three months. Two reports have surfaced linking him to potential openings elsewhere.

According to Sports by Brooks, DirecTV "is in full pursuit of the longtime broadcaster."


Brooks hears that DirecTV approached Berman about a pre- and post-game opportunity involving the Red Zone Channel, which is currently hosted by Andrew Siciliano.


Berman would also work with Dan Patrick on a to-be-launched sports channel. Patrick is already involved with DirecTV, hosting a radio show that is simulcast on the network's Channel 101.


Meanwhile, The Big Lead reported Monday evening that NFL Network "is putting the full court press" on Berman for an undisclosed opportunity. Berman is reportedly still very close with NFLN President Steve Bornstein after the two worked together at ESPN in the 1980s.


Berman, of course, would have to give up covering baseball for the latter opportunity.


Brooks adds that ESPN is expected to make a "reasonable" pitch to retain Berman, but "will not break the bank to keep him."


Berman, 54, has been at ESPN since 1979.

 

[Arch Stanton]

He'd be so much better on radio.

 

[tunahelper]

Berman is a crusty old sock that should be thrown away.

 

[yimyammer]

Posted by Evan Silva on February 8, 2010 10:55 PM ET

ESPN [strike]analyst[/strike] personality .

How do you strike a line through words like you did here?

 

[adamknite]

How do you strike a line through words like you did here?

["strike"]Like This[/strike]

but remove the quotation marks from around "strike".

[strike]Like This[/strike]

 

[Everlastingxxx]

Please no Berman, he is the worst. Also, thought RedZone was hosted by Scott Hanon...i liked him.

 

[jobberone]

Always wondered how they did that strike thing.

 

[viman96]

I was just thinking how NFLN does not show enough love towards Favre, 49ers and the Bills.

 

[yimyammer]

["strike"]Like This[/strike]

but remove the quotation marks from around "strike".

[strike]Like This[/strike]

thx

so this has to manually be done, ie there is no button that does the formatting?

 

[Longboysfan]

Berman is the BMOC at ESPN.

 

[JWitten]

I believe that Direct TV has it's own version of the Red Zone and the one hosted by Scott Hanon is one that is run by the NFLN.

I couldn't agree more about Berman I have completely gone away from ESPN because of the likes of him. I don't want him going over to the NFLN.

 

[LandryFan]

Berman is a crusty old sock that should be thrown away.

This. Berman sucks. I can't stand him on esbn, and I won't watch him on NFLN.

 

[adamknite]

thx

so this has to manually be done, ie there is no button that does the formatting?

Not that I'm aware of.

 

[brickman]

I guess I'm in the minority. I actually like Berman. I'd rather listen to him than know it alls like Tony Siragusa & Dan Dierdorf (even though they have different duties than Berman).

 

[Gadfly22]

I would have like the headline better if it had said "Large vicious dogs pursuing Berman".

 

[LucaBrasi]

I would have like the headline better if it had said "Large vicious dogs pursuing Berman".

or "hitman pursuing Berman"

 

[Chief]

I liked Berman in the 1980s and some of the 1990s, but then something happened.

His witty, enthusiastic, love-of-the-game personality was overtaken by an overbearing, tired, pompous, smug, know-it-all personality.

The expiration date on Berman has expired.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I liked Berman in the 1980s and some of the 1990s, but then something happened.

His witty, enthusiastic, love-of-the-game personality was overtaken by an overbearing, tired, pompous, smug, know-it-all personality.

The expiration date on Berman has expired.

Well said Chief.

I would like to know what happened to Berman. I always knew he hated the Cowboys but after we won more super bowls he just seemed different.

 

[Alexander]

It would be a shame to have to stop watching NFLN.

 

[burmafrd]

I prefer to listen to former players since they at least sometimes know what they are talking about.