The line of people leaving ESPN is getting longer, seemingly every day. But now it’s getting interesting, with The Big Lead reporting that Chris Berman will retire when his contract expires sometime after the 2016-17 NFL season.

Berman has of course been with ESPN since the network hit the air in 1979, and for a big chunk of that time he was an iconic personality with a familiar, affable schtick that included athlete nicknames and over the top reading of highlights. But modern sports fans have not embraced him, and the appeal of what Berman does has run its course in recent years.

Berman’s agent has denied the retirement report to Richard Sandomir of the New York Times, while suggesting “people with an agenda” may have put it out there. It’s worth wondering if those people with an agenda are in high places at ESPN, so even with the cover of what would surely be a farewell tour, Berman’s relationship with network management could deteriorate quickly.

Berman is 61 years old and probably could find another sports network to work for, but it would be weird to see him anywhere but ‘The Worldwide Leader’. As for who will replace Berman as host of ESPN’s Sunday and Monday night pregame shows, Trey Wingo and Suzy Kolber are the obvious top internal candidates.