From Chicago Sun-Times · · 1m 20s
Troy Aikman opens door to leaving Joe Buck, ESPN behind
Troy Aikman hints at becoming a free agent after 25 years with Joe Buck on ESPN.
In brief
Troy Aikman hints at becoming a free agent after 25 years with Joe Buck on ESPN. Troy Aikman will be a free agent after the NFL season ends, threatening the long-running ESPN broadcast partnership with Joe Buck. Originally reported by Chicago Sun-Times.
Troy Aikman's free agent status
Troy Aikman confirmed he will be a free agent after the NFL season ends.
“I’ll broadcast through this season, and I’ll be a free agent at the end of the year”
25-year ESPN partnership at risk
Joe Buck and Troy Aikman have worked together for 25 years as ESPN's longest-running NFL broadcast pair.
“Joe Buck and Troy Aikman passed Pat Summerall and John Madden as the longest-tenured NFL broadcaster pairing in 2023”
Contract tensions reported
Front Office Sports reported Joe Buck and Troy Aikman argued before the Bills-Rams game over contract disputes.
“According to FOS, Buck addressed the tension between him and Aikman in the booth before the Bills-Rams game”
Buck's contract details
Joe Buck signed a six-year deal worth more than $100 million with ESPN.
“Buck agreed to a six-year deal last month, according to The Athletic”
Aikman's current earnings
Troy Aikman earns $18 million per year while Joe Buck earns $15 million per year.
“Buck’s current contract pays him $15 million per year, according to The Athletic”
Aikman's potential moves
Troy Aikman could join another network or move into NFL front office consulting.
“Aikman also is dabbling in consulting for the Dolphins, opening the possibility that he’d consider joining an NFL front office”
Impact on other networks
Fox hasn't had contract talks with Greg Olsen, and CBS has unstable J.J. Watt position.
“Sports Business Journal reported that Fox hasn’t had contract talks with No. 2 analyst Greg Olsen”
Aikman's next steps
Troy Aikman will see what happens after the Super Bowl and his next landing spot.
“I’m looking forward to whatever the rest of this year does hold and the Super Bowl and all that and where my next landing spot may be”
The main idea
Troy Aikman will be a free agent after the NFL season ends, threatening the long-running ESPN broadcast partnership with Joe Buck.
