Joe Buck has agreed to a massive six-year, $108 million contract extension with ESPN, according to The Athletic, keeping him as the voice of “Monday Night Football” into the 2030s — but will Troy Aikman stay with him?
Aikman, who moved over from Fox to ESPN alongside Buck in 2022, remains unsigned to a new long-term deal, per the report, as his own five-year, $90 million contract with the network ends after the upcoming Super Bowl in February that the duo will call.
Buck and Aikman have worked together for 25 seasons, the longest-running booth team in the history of the NFL.
Aikman, though, took on a role as a special advisor to the Dolphins last offseason as he assisted in their general manager search that ended with them hiring Jon-Eric Sullivan.
The 59-year-old former Cowboys QB has previously expressed interest in being a general manager himself.
Other notable upcoming free agents in the sports broadcasting landscape include Prime Video’s team of Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit, CBS’ Ian Eagle, Fox’s Greg Olsen, and CBS’ interim first-teamer JJ Watt.
Movement could also be influenced by the status of Tony Romo, who was placed on leave “until further notice” following his arrest in Wisconsin over the summer for operating a vehicle under the influence. CBS has not made it clear when or if Romo will return. He is not on their broadcast schedule for Weeks 2 or 3.
The Sports Business Journal’s Austin Karp suggested Aikman could consider a move to CBS amid the Romo uncertainty — and if Watt doesn’t work out in the top booth.
Next offseason has the potential to match the madness of five years ago, even as Buck and ESPN ink their new deal.
In 2022, Buck and Aikman departed Fox for ESPN, and Fox promoted Kevin Burkhardt to their primary play-by-play position and signed Tom Brady to work alongside him.
Joe Davis then succeeded Buck as Fox’s World Series voice. Fox will have the World Series for the next three editions, but after that, ESPN is interested in gaining rights to the Fall Classic, per The Athletic.
Should that happen, ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro could put Buck in that role once again.
Oher options could include Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Rams head coach Sean McVay with both rumored to be interested in broadcasting careers when done playing and coaching, respectively.
Prime Video had interest in bringing in McVay before deciding on Herbstreit five years ago, and Kelce, 36, has been considered a potential analyst whenever he leaves the field.
Fox’s No. 3 analyst, Drew Brees, could also be considered for a top seat in a booth.
