Chris Berman's exit as the face of NFL coverage at ESPN was always going to be interesting. The long-time host was arguably the biggest name at the company over multiple decades and, especially when it comes to the NFL, Berman is synonymous with ESPN and the way the sport is covered.
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On Thursday, ESPN announced its plan for replacing Berman from an NFL standpoint and the network is choosing to utilize the trio of Suzy Kolber, Trey Wingo and Sam Ponder. This was the rumored make-up of the replacement plan a few weeks ago but ESPN made it official and ESPN Senior Vice President, Studio and Event Production Stephanie Druley said the following:
"We have three exceptional hosts in Suzy, Sam and Trey, who will usher in this new era of NFL studio coverage on ESPN. They each have a unique style and approach, yet they all share a passion for the game of football that is evident to viewers. We look forward to this group being the face of our NFL studio coverage for many years ahead on ESPN."
According to the release, Kolber will continue her hosting role on Monday Night Countdown while also taking over from Berman in a full-time capacity as the solo host. Elsewhere, Ponder will assume the mantle of hosting Sunday NFL Countdown after Berman chaired that program for three decades and Wingo will ascend to be the solo host of ESPN's famed NFL Draft coverage.
Ponder, who had been on College GameDay for the past several years, announced her departure from that program after receiving her new role with ESPN's NFL team.
It will be incredibly odd to see and hear ESPN's NFL coverage without Chris Berman but, given the reputation of all three people involved, the network appears to be in safe hands moving forward.
