Charles Barkley is puzzled by Troy Aikman’s frustrations with Joe Buck.
Recently, ESPN reportedly extended Buck’s contract for six years and $108 million, ensuring he will continue as the voice of “Monday Night Football.” Meanwhile, Aikman has expressed that he hasn’t received any communication from ESPN about a new contract, which is set to expire following the Super Bowl.
According to Front Office Sports, an argument occurred between the two prior to the Rams-Bills game on October 12, with Aikman supposedly expressing feelings of betrayal, saying, “You f–ked me over!”
This situation has left Barkley—a veteran analyst for “Inside the NBA”—scratching his head. He shared his thoughts on 97.5 The Fanatic, saying, “I’m very disappointed in Troy Aikman. Honestly, it’s not Joe Buck’s job to get him a deal. He can’t dictate contract negotiations. If Aikman wants to have a private chat with Buck, that’s one thing. But being mad at him? The network gave Joe a deal. It seems like they aren’t keen on renewing Aikman’s. But it’s not Buck’s responsibility. They’ve worked together for 25 years, and I’m sure they enjoy that. Yet, networks sometimes take different directions.”
Barkley pointed out that Aikman was the one who left Fox to join ESPN back in 2022, which led to Buck being able to exit Fox a few weeks later. Aikman had an opportunity to leave Fox due to a clause in his contract that allowed him to pursue a larger contract; he ended up signing a five-year, $90 million deal with ESPN. Conversely, Buck required permission to leave, as he had one year remaining on his Fox deal.
Aikman is speaking as if his tenure at ESPN will conclude following the Super Bowl, leaving his future in broadcasting somewhat uncertain. CBS recently secured JJ Watt as its top game analyst, giving him a contract after Tony Romo’s departure due to legal issues.
Meanwhile, Tom Brady and Cris Collinsworth are firmly established in their positions at Fox and NBC, respectively. Kirk Herbstreit also signed a new deal to keep his role on Amazon’s “Thursday Night Football,” although there are options for Amazon to exit if they find a better fit.
It’s possible Aikman might explore opportunities in a front-office role. He was a consultant for the Dolphins during their offseason GM and coaching searches, although reports suggest he lacks a formal, ongoing arrangement with the team.
Reflecting on the argument with Buck, Aikman commented during an interview on 96.7 The Ticket on October 15, “There’s probably a time and a place for all that. I don’t know if now is the time. I think it’s still a bit unclear what exactly transpired. I’ll continue broadcasting for the rest of the season and then I’ll be a free agent at the end of the year. I’m looking forward to finishing the season, the Super Bowl, and seeing where I land next.”
