Bomani Jones cannot believe how much attention ESPN’s business dealings receive. The former ESPN host shared his bewilderment on the latest Sports Media Watch Podcast regarding the ongoing tension between Joe Buck and Troy Aikman.
What We Know: Jones spent nearly two decades at ESPN, starting as a writer for ESPN.com’s Page 2. Additionally, he co-hosted Highly Questionable and High Noon before ESPN declined to renew his deal in 2023. On the podcast, Jones explained that ESPN-focused commentary would earn him more money than the content on his current show. Furthermore, he questioned why fans care so deeply about the Joe Buck and Troy Aikman contract tension.
What They Said: (all quotes via The Sports Media Watch Podcast):
Bomani Jones says business would be better for him if all he did was talk about ESPN: “If I turned my show into talk about ESPN every day, I would make so much more money. If all I did every morning was wake up, take notes on ESPN programming, and then jump on YouTube and give you a scouting report. I am sure that it would do better than whatever the f**k it is that I do right now. And I don’t get it.”
Bomani Jones is stunned so many people care about Troy Aikman and Joe Buck’s contract tension: “These guys have worked together for 25 years. Let’s say they just don’t like each other anymore. Wow, that sounds perfectly reasonable… Let’s say ESPN has just decided they don’t want Troy Aikman anymore. Troy Aikman has done this job for 25 years and currently makes $18 million a year, doing that job. He never made $18 million a year playing football. Good for you, way to go. People don’t even really like them that much. Like, they’re fine. But they’re not [Pat] Summerall and [John] Madden. It’s not that sort of situation, and people really, really care.”
Bomani Jones on why he tends to avoid talking about ESPN drama: “People can smell them sour grapes. I’m fortunate; I don’t have no beef with the place. Maybe a couple people, but I got no beef with the place. But I just don’t think I’m necessarily the right person to talk a lot about certain things involved in the company, and some of them I just don’t find to be interesting.”
What Remains Unclear: Meanwhile, ESPN reportedly paused extension talks with Aikman after Buck signed a new deal. ESPN has not commented on the ongoing situation between Aikman and Buck. It remains to be seen if Aikman will finish out the final year of his agreement with ESPN through Super Bowl LXI.
What It Means: Ultimately, Jones sees a media landscape that rewards network gossip over original ideas. However, he deliberately steers clear of ESPN drama. He said audiences can sense sour grapes, though he holds no grudge against the company. As a result, Jones remains an outlier in a market built on covering the coverage.
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