ESPN waited decades to get a Super Bowl. Now its first one is sharing the spotlight with a breakup.
Troy Aikman and Joe Buck are still scheduled to call Super Bowl LXI together on February 14, 2027. After that, nobody knows if they’ll work together ever again. ESPN has remained silent on the situation as it becomes a full-blown soap opera over relationships, money, contracts, and communication.
How Did It Get This Messy?
In 2022, ESPN lured Aikman and Buck away from FOX with a combined five-year, $165 million commitment. Aikman received $90 million of it. Buck got $75 million. Then this year, Buck signed a six-year extension worth about $108 million. Buck reportedly finalized that deal without telling Aikman. Meanwhile, Aikman’s contract still expires after the Super Bowl. ESPN has reportedly paused talks with him until after the game.
Andrew Marchand of The Athletic deserves credit for his excellent reporting on this story. In his article last week, he shared details of what was said at the Bills-Rams game at SoFi Stadium. He also revealed that Aikman had an hour long tense conversation with ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro. Pitaro asked Aikman if he could still work with Buck and Aikman answered yes. Following that discussion, Aikman and Buck had an argument in the booth. Front Office Sports reported it first.
Following the argument, Aikman told The Ticket in Dallas he expects to be a free agent. Days later, he put his odds of returning to television at “50-50.” He also admitted, “I guess I’m still getting my head around how I got to this position.” Marchand blamed ESPN exec Burke Magnus for not recognizing how signing Buck and not Aikman would create internal tension and external scrutiny for ESPN. He also said that ESPN has managed the situation between their top two football voices poorly.
Aikman has called games with Buck since 2002. They worked six Super Bowls together at FOX. Buck has often said he loves Aikman “like a brother.” Yet none of these issues surfaced previously during their lengthy run. Now, after just one contract cycle at ESPN, it’s front and center.
That begs the question, what changed?
The Sound of Silence
What stands out so far is ESPN’s silence on the situation. The company’s only public response is that it “won’t be addressing talent contract specifics publicly before the Super Bowl.” I understand not negotiating in public. But silence has consequences. When nobody pushes back on reports of tension, people assume the reports are true. As a result, the noise keeps growing. Every week brings a new take, report, and quote. Eventually it takes a toll on all involved.
The contract gap sends its own message too. Buck has a deal through 2031. Aikman is waiting. Whether ESPN intends it or not, that tells everyone the network values Joe more than Troy.
According to Marchand, Buck and Aikman have always negotiated their deals separately. If they negotiated as a unit or stayed in touch during the process, ESPN would likely face a tougher and more expensive negotiation. As close as everyone assumed the two were, when it has involved business, they have operated separately. Aikman signed first with ESPN without knowing if Buck would be able to follow. Buck had a year still left on his Fox deal at the time. That shows a lack of trust and communication between the popular NFL broadcasting duo.
In the latest contractual process, Puck reported that Aikman’s representatives initially requested $30 million per year in Troy’s next deal. That’s closer to what Tom Brady earns in FOX’s lead chair. Aikman’s team offered to do a new deal for the near-18 percent raise that Buck got. ESPN declined.
Situations like this rarely unfold this way unless a plan is already in place. Or at least close to it. Networks don’t let a top analyst twist in the wind without knowing who’s next.
Who’s Next?
Towards the end of Marchand’s article, he shared that network executives believe there is depth in the NFL game-analyst market. If the situation with Aikman can’t be fixed, there are several logical candidates who make sense to work with Buck.
Greg Olsen has proven he can shine in a top booth. Tony Romo has name recognition and prior experience working Super Bowl’s and big games in a number one booth. I just can’t see Buck trading one Cowboys QB for another or ESPN investing in Romo.
Kirk Herbstreit is on ESPN’s payroll. He also works on Thursday Night Football with Al Michaels in addition to calling the top college games. If Travis Kelce retires soon, many expect Amazon to pursue him. That gives Herbstreit incentive to explore other options. Still, I don’t think ESPN would turn to him here. The company could also make a run at Kelce and pair him and his brother Jason with Buck. That feels like a long shot, though.
Pat McAfee is another big name who’d generate buzz. ESPN is clearly invested in him long-term. However, Pat said it himself, the booth isn’t the right fit for him. This role would restrict Pat’s personality.
The Ideal Replacement
If I’m placing a bet, I’m putting my money on Peyton Manning slotting in alongside Joe Buck. He is exceptional on camera, familiar to football fans everywhere, and adds insight and personality that cuts through. Peyton’s arrival in the Monday Night booth would also match the star power Tom Brady adds at FOX. Additionally, Manning is already tied to ESPN. Omaha Productions is partnering with the company through 2034.
Monday Night Football with Peyton & Eli has produced many great moments. The chemistry between the Manning Brothers is off the charts. Still, the show battles Monday Night Football for viewers. One could argue it may also be losing steam. ManningCast audiences have slipped in recent seasons.
Moving Peyton into the main booth would accomplish several things at once. First, it exposes him to the traditional Monday Night Football audience. That builds more awareness for Manning and the Omaha brand. Second, it gives ESPN something new to sell on its biggest NFL property. Third, Peyton’s skill alongside Buck gives both a chance to build something special for years to come. Fourth, if Buck and Aikman are done working together, few will take aim at MNF with Manning stepping in. A move like that also fits Jimmy Pitaro’s strategy of going all-in on elite talent with worldwide popularity. I’m sure it’d pay Manning well too.
Bad Timing
By the time Super Bowl Sunday arrives, few people will care much about this story. Viewers will tune in for the game. Buck and Aikman will be professional, because they always are. Still, it’s surprising to see this separation become so messy. ESPN expected this year to be a celebration of football. Nothing was supposed to get in the way.
Instead, a 25-year partnership is ending in public, one report at a time. That’s not good for Joe, Troy, Jimmy or ESPN.
When high-profile relationships fracture and significant dollars are involved, sometimes a mess is unavoidable. Feelings get hurt. Agents talk. Leaks happen. It’s a gift of a story for television, radio and publishing professionals. Friction between high profile talent generates interest, debate, and keeps audiences returning to learn more. So in a weird way, the media business should thank ESPN management. By staying quiet, they’ve let this story add new wrinkles nearly every week. All of us covering it have benefited from it.
Buck and Aikman have worked together for nearly a quarter century. Now they appear headed toward a split. Until we learn what divided them, this story will keep gaining steam. What started the rift between the two? How did it advance to this stage? Is there a landing spot for Troy Aikman (FOX? CBS? Amazon?) if not at ESPN? Who steps into Aikman’s role next to Buck on MNF?
More importantly, why has ESPN allowed it to cast a black cloud over its first big showcase of the NFL’s greatest game? And why did the company feel more comfortable continuing a business relationship with Joe Buck over Troy Aikman?
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