Terry Bradshaw, a close friend and former colleague of Troy Aikman and Joe Buck, has offered his thoughts on the reported feud between the ESPN broadcasting duo, stating he finds it "hard to believe" that money is the primary cause.
Aikman and Buck, who worked together at Fox for years before moving to ESPN in 2022, are set to call their first Super Bowl for the network on February 14. However, their partnership has reportedly been strained following Buck's new contract signing before Aikman's future was resolved.
Bradshaw, who remains with Fox's NFL studio show, spoke about the situation on The Brian Kilmeade Show. He revealed he has communicated with Buck via text and expressed his skepticism about the reported financial dispute being the root of the issue. "I don't want to believe that it's the money that Buck got that's got Troy upset, because Troy's making big money," Bradshaw said. "I find that hard to believe because Troy Aikman is not like that."
Reports indicate Buck signed a six-year, $108 million contract with ESPN, aiming for $18 million annually through at least the 2032 NFL season. Aikman's current deal, signed when he joined ESPN, reportedly earns him between $18 million and $18.5 million per year.
While neither Aikman nor Buck have publicly addressed the feud, Aikman recently acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his future in an interview with Dallas Cowboys insider Mike Fisher. "As I'm into my last year at ESPN, I'm realizing that this is something that could very well be taken away from me," Aikman said. "For the first time, I'm realizing how much I really do – I've always enjoyed it."
Bradshaw suggested that his understanding is that "things are OK" between the two commentators, despite reports of a heated argument before a Monday Night Football game last month and perceived iciness in the broadcast booth. The duo is embarking on their 25th season together, making them the longest-running announcing team in the NFL.