Overview
- Troy Aikman told sports media reporter Richard Deitsch that he has not agreed to a contract extension with ESPN and that he expected a deal before this season but does not know when, or if, one will be reached.
- Reports say Joe Buck has signed a new six-year extension with ESPN, a development Aikman confirmed would factor into his own decision about staying with the network.
- Aikman emphasized he would like to continue working with Buck and noted this is the first time since his playing days that he has entered the final year of a contract.
- Both men moved from Fox to ESPN in 2022 to lead Monday Night Football and Aikman said their presence helped repair ESPN’s relationship with the NFL after the network acquired NFL Media assets and the league took about a 10 percent stake.
- The uncertainty creates potential market movement for top NFL broadcast voices because several lead analyst roles across platforms are in flux and could offer Aikman alternatives or leverage in negotiations.