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Chris Berman's agent denies retirement reports

Tim Bradbury / Getty Images Sport / Getty

A report Thursday indicating ESPN's Chris Berman would retire following the 2016 NFL season is being refuted by the longtime host's agent.

The denial took place after multiple sources told Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead that Berman had decided to move on after his contract expires in 2017.

Berman's agent told Richard Sandomir of The New York Times that "Chris is not retiring. Loves what he's doing too much and is too young to hang 'em up."

"Perhaps people with an agenda put it out there," the agent added.

Berman has been with the network since 1979, mostly known for his work as lead host of "Sunday NFL Countdown." He's also served as a fill-in play-by-play man for Monday Night Football and calls the MLB Home Run Derby during All-Star weekend.

ESPN reworked "Countdown" this offseason, jettisoning Ray Lewis, Cris Carter, Trent Dilfer, and Keyshawn Johnson in favor of Matt Hasselbeck, Randy Moss, and Charles Woodson.

McIntyre's report indicated Berman's chair hasn't been filled yet, but two candidates could be Trey Wingo and Suzy Kolber. McIntyre reports there's a strong internal push for Kolber.

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