Joe Buck reportedly has a six-year, $108m ESPN deal, but Troy Aikman says the network doesn't want him back, so the NFL's top booth duo may be splitting up.
The NFL's most famous broadcast pairing may be heading for a breakup. Joe Buck is reportedly set to stay at ESPN on a new deal, while his Monday Night Football partner Troy Aikman says the network doesn't want to renew his contract.
Buck's reported package is worth $108m over six seasons. That follows a five-year deal that paid him $15m a season. It is a huge commitment in an era when TV audiences in many corners of the media world keep shrinking, and it shows how highly the network values its lead play-by-play voice.
Aikman's situation is far less clear. The Hall of Fame quarterback was one of the best of the 1990s, and he walked away from the game in 2001 because his body had taken too much punishment. This time the call isn't his to make. He plainly believes he can still do the job in the booth, but he says ESPN sees it differently.
The next step is the big question. If Aikman does leave, ESPN loses half of the duo that has anchored its biggest NFL games, and one of the most respected analysts in the business becomes available. Whether this ends in a late reversal or a split, the booth will look very different next season.
