Joe Buck, Troy Aikman Reportedly Argued Over $108 Million Contract
Pregame video captures ESPN broadcasters keeping their distance prior to a reported dispute.
Tensions were reportedly high in ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” booth prior to the Rams-Bills game, with longtime broadcast partners Joe Buck and Troy Aikman allegedly engaging in an argument over their respective ESPN contracts. Videos that have surfaced from the game appear to support these claims.
Before heading to the broadcast booth at SoFi Stadium, Flea Flicker Football captured clips of Buck and Aikman on the field pregame. One video depicts a seemingly “stressed” Buck speaking with his wife, Michelle Beisner, who also works for ESPN. Another clip shows Aikman heading toward the broadcast booth without Buck.
The two commentators were reportedly seen near the “Monday Night Football” countdown set for approximately an hour before the game, but they were not observed interacting or speaking to each other during that time.
The reported friction comes as Buck recently signed a new six-year contract with ESPN worth $108 million, securing his role as the voice of “Monday Night Football.” Aikman, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the current season, has not yet received a contract offer from the network.
Aikman, 59, had previously expressed his expectation that a contract resolution would occur sooner. "I thought something would be done prior to the start of this season," Aikman said last month on the "Sports Media with Richard Deitsch" podcast. "I’ve never gone into a last year of a contract ever since I signed with the Dallas Cowboys. So, I thought that it would be done. It’s not."
Buck, 57, has also taken on additional roles within the Disney company, including guest hosting “Good Morning America” and hosting “ESPN Jeopardy,” as well as serving as a guest judge on “Dancing With the Stars.”
ESPN, which signed both Buck and Aikman away from Fox in the 2022 offseason with five-year contracts, declined to comment on the situation when reached by Front Office Sports.
Should Aikman depart ESPN, speculation suggests a potential move to CBS’ top NFL booth, which may have an opening following Tony Romo's departure. For the remainder of the current season, J.J. Watt is occupying CBS’ lead analyst position.
Buck and Aikman are scheduled to call the upcoming Week 6 matchup between the Commanders and the 49ers.