RAY Warren is the iconic voice of rugby league and he’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

The legendary broadcaster has inked a new deal with Channel Nine, committing Warren to the network for another five years.

The commentator will now stay with the Nine until the conclusion of the current rugby league TV rights deal in 2022.

Nine’s director of sport Tom Malone was thrilled to lock down the man beloved by audiences and affectionately known as “Rabs.”

“He has brought us some of the greatest moments in sport for more than 50 years, and his contribution to the profile of rugby league and swimming in Australia cannot be overstated,” Malone said.

Nine revealed the contract was thrashed out over a sausage sandwich during the week and Warren said he is thrilled to continue his long standing association with the rugby league broadcaster.

But while the five-year deal keeps Warren at Nine, there’s no guarantee he will see out the deal as strictly a commentator.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for me to remain a part of Nine even though I am undecided about the calling aspect,” Warren said in a statement.

“I have been part of that coverage since 1989 and they have been good to me. For them to want me to remain part of WWOS (Wide World of Sports) for another five years is humbling.”

There were rumours Warren would announce his retirement at the end of his current contract, fresh from celebrating 50 years as a rugby league caller.

Warren said in 2016 he didn’t expect to have long left in the rugby league commentary chair.

“Fifty and out, I like that,” Warren told Fairfax Media. “I’m thinking this season will be it for me, in fact I’d be happy to get through the year to be honest.”

Warren has had health issues in recent years and has spent considerable time in and out of hospital, as he battled prostate cancer and a hernia.

He almost missed the 2010 Grand Final after making an emergency trip to hospital on the eve of the game, but bravely checked out in time to call the decider between St George Illawarra and the Sydney Roosters.

The network will be breathing a sigh of relief as the issue of who will eventually replace Warren in the lead commentary chair is not an easy one.

His fear of flying restricts the number of games he covers and Matt Thompson and Ray Hadley have also broadcast games for Channel Nine in recent seasons — but neither man will be replacing “Rabs” fulltime just yet.

Warren has a long standing agreement with the Nine that he can walk away at any time, and the veteran caller has voiced concerns previously of going on too long.

“I certainly don’t want to be one of those people who go one season too many,” Warren told News Ltd last year. “I’d hate to think I could go too long and damage my reputation. No one is indispensable or irreplaceable.”

The contract will also see Warren provide his voice for network promos and productions, as well as contribute columns and podcasts across Nine’s digital products.

Warren moved to Nine in 1989 having previously worked for Channel Ten, after famously starting his career at radio station 2LF in Young.