From Newsweek · Rowan Fisher-Shotton · · 1m 30s
Joe Buck locks in ESPN deal as Troy Aikman's future waits
The Monday Night Football play-by-play voice extends through 2031, but his broadcast partner's next move remains uncertain.
In brief
The Monday Night Football play-by-play voice extends through 2031, but his broadcast partner's next move remains uncertain. Joe Buck's six-year, $108 million ESPN extension signals the network's commitment to its MNF booth, but Troy Aikman's contract status leaves his long-term future unresolved. Originally reported…
Buck extends with ESPN through 2031
Joe Buck signed a six-year, $108 million extension with ESPN on Wednesday, keeping him as the voice of Monday Night Football through 2031.
Both signed five-year deals in 2022
Buck and Aikman left Fox for ESPN in 2022 on five-year contracts that expire after Super Bowl sixty-one in February, which both are expected to call.
A quarter-century broadcasting together
Buck and Aikman have been teaming up for 25 years, making them the longest-standing TV booth tandem in NFL history.
“the longest-standing TV booth tandem in league history”
Buck's legendary broadcasting pedigree
Buck started calling games in the early 1990s following his father Jack Buck, a legendary broadcaster, and spent decades at Fox as the network's lead play-by-play voice for NFL and World Series coverage.
Aikman's future remains in limbo
While ESPN and Aikman have mutual interest in a new deal, his contract status is unresolved. Aikman said in August he has no plans to leave ESPN and is enjoying his broadcasting career.
“I have no plans to leave ESPN. I'm enjoying my broadcasting career as much as I ever have.”
CAA could drive Aikman's price higher
Both broadcasters are represented by powerhouse agency CAA, which could leverage Buck's lucrative deal to secure an even bigger contract for Aikman.
The one thing
Joe Buck's six-year, $108 million ESPN extension signals the network's commitment to its MNF booth, but Troy Aikman's contract status leaves his long-term future unresolved.
