One of the first major dominos to fall in this offseason broadcaster roulette was Troy Aikman leaving FOX to join ESPN, a move that prompted Joe Buck to seek his exit from FOX to join his partner. Aikman sought other employment because of a lack of communication with FOX.
“The reason that I’m no longer at Fox is mostly due to a lack of communication,” Aikman said on The Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast. “Which is ironic since we’re in the communications business. But, that’s the way that it is.”
For context, Aikman agreed to a contract last year that included an opt-out for the broadcaster after last season. Aikman said he wanted the option because the two sides couldn’t agree on “fair market value” for his services going forward so he wanted that protection and got it. Since the end of the season, the phone lines have been quiet between he and FOX Sports’ CEO and executive producer Eric Shanks.
“I never had a conversation with Eric Shanks until he called to congratulate me on the ESPN contract,” Aikman said. “I asked him specifically for some comments that I had heard that circulated and got back to me and he refused to answer those questions. Joe had asked him the same questions as to ‘How did we get here?’ And he refused to answer those questions as well.”
Aikman went on to say that he didn’t know why things had gotten so quiet between the two and realizes he may never know.
“There may not ever be any clarity from my perspective as to what exactly happened. I was an employee of theirs for 21 years. I feel like I did everything that was asked of me. And I don’t feel like I ever gave them anything to complain about or be upset about. But, you know, so be it.”
“I used the word disappointing,” Aikman added. “I think that’s the biggest thing for me. I just think that it’s not hard just to have a conversation and if you have a position, that’s fine. Nobody has to feel at fault for feeling a certain way or taking a stand. Just communicate that. And I think that’s the biggest disappointment that I took from it. But with all that being said, I couldn’t be more excited to be at ESPN and see how someone else does it. And what I’ve seen is, they do it a lot differently, and it’s been refreshing.”
