Joe Buck and Troy Aikman have different levels of certainty over their future on Monday Night Football – and that led to an argument in the broadcast booth as tensions boiled over.
According to Front Office Sports, Buck ‘broke the ice’ on unspoken tension before this week’s Monday Night Football game between the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams.
However, it is claimed the pair had an argument that ultimately de-escalated before they called the broadcast without showing any noticeable signs of unrest.
Buck and Aikman both joined ESPN, in the 2022 offseason, signing big deals to leave Fox, with Aikman signing first then Buck following weeks later.
Buck will continue as the voice of ‘Monday Night Football’ into the 2030s. According to The Athletic, his annual salary is rising from $15 million to $18 million in the massive deal worth $108 million in total.
Buck, 57, and Aikman, 59, have been together in the booth since 2002 and left Fox together to join ESPN in 2022.
Troy Aikman and Joe Buck reportedly had an argument before their most recent MNF game
Buck and Aikman are the NFL’s longest-running commentary pairing, now in their 25th season
They will be behind the mic as the network hosts the Super Bowl for the first time at the end of this season.
But beyond that, three-time Super Bowl champion Aikman’s future is unclear. His five-year, $90 million contract ends after this season, and he has acknowledged he has not discussed what happens next with his bosses.
‘I thought something would be done prior to the start of this season,’ Aikman said on the Sports Media with Richard Deitsch podcast last month.
‘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.
‘When it might get done, if it gets done, is anybody’s guess, and it’s just not something that I’m really putting a lot of energy into.’
Aikman said there is ‘no question’ working with Buck is a factor in his future and he would love to continue knowing his partner’s role is secured.
‘How much of that is my decision, I guess is yet to be determined,’ Aikman added. ‘Would I like to continue working with Joe Buck moving down the road? 100 percent.’
Both Aikman and Buck are represented by the same agency, CAA, but have different agents.
Troy Aikman admits he has yet to have any conversations with ESPN over a contract extension
Buck and Aikman started their 25th season together, making them the longest-running commentary team in NFL history, with the Kansas City Chiefs’ win over the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football in Week 1.
They were on the call for the Bills’ dramatic overtime win over the Rams after their reported argument.
And their next assignment is in San Francisco as the 49ers host the Washington Commanders in Week 6 action.
