Troy Aikman says he plans to be a free agent after the NFL season on ESPN. However, he declined to address reported tension with Joe Buck on Thursday.
What We Know: Aikman is in the final year of his ESPN contract, which ends after February’s Super Bowl. Meanwhile, Buck signed a six-year extension worth roughly $108 million last month. That deal keeps him as the voice of Monday Night Football long-term. Front Office Sports reported Wednesday that the partners argued over the disparity before the Bills-Rams game. Thursday, during an appearance on 96.7/1310 The Ticket in Dallas, Aikman hesitated to confirm tension between Buck and himself. But also said he expects this season to be his last with ESPN.
What They Said: Troy Aikman on the reported tension between him and Joe Buck at ESPN (via 96.7/1310 The Ticket): “There’s probably a time and a place for all that to be discussed. I don’t know if now is the time. I don’t know if it’s hard to figure out kind of what has happened. I’ll broadcast through this season and I’ll be a free agent at the end of the year and kind of see what happens. 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.”
What Remains Unclear: Notably, ESPN has not publicly confirmed Aikman is leaving the network following its first Super Bowl broadcast. Additionally, the network declined to comment on the reported argument between Buck and Aikman earlier this week. Aikman also did not say whether he wants to return to ESPN. As a result, his next landing spot remains an open question.
What It Means: Ultimately, Aikman’s comments confirm his free agency path in his own words. Consequently, the NFL’s longest-running booth pairing faces an uncertain future. Rival networks could now pursue one of the sport’s most respected analysts. Meanwhile, ESPN risks breaking up a 25-year partnership after calling its first Super Bowl.
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