Back, back, back … gone?

Chris Berman’s long run at ESPN could be nearing an end, and the potential divorce is off to an interesting start.

The Big Lead reported Thursday night that the 61-year-old Berman would retire after his contract runs out — sometime after the 2016-17 football season. SI.com confirmed most of that report, saying Berman would be leaving his featured roles with the network as the host of “NFL Countdown” and “Monday Night Countdown,” but could retain an emeritus role in which he would return for postseason coverage.

But the most interesting update came from Berman’s agent, who flatly denied the retirement to the New York Times.

“Chris is NOT retiring. Loves what he’s doing too much and is too young to hang ’em up,” said the agent, Lou Oppenheim. “Perhaps people with an agenda put it out there.”

Note that the agent did not dispute that Berman’s time at ESPN could be ending, just that his broadcast career will continue — and his statement carries the whiff of a power struggle at the Worldwide Leader.

Berman has been with ESPN since October 1979, one month after its pioneering launch. He has long been a favorite of the decision-makers at ESPN, even as many on the outside have grown weary of his over-the-top shtick.

The Big Lead’s report added that ESPN is planning a lavish sendoff for Berman, comparable to Kobe Bryant’s exit. But that and a potential emeritus role merely could be ESPN’s attempt to create a favorable-looking parachute for Berman as the network nudges him out of its NFL coverage.

ESPN has been officially silent on the matter, and likely will be until Berman is on board with whatever they are plotting.