Fortunately for Joe Buck (and for ESPN), Disney doesnâÂÂt apply the same rules the Steelers do to redoing contracts after football season has started.
Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reports that ESPN and Buck have agreed to a new deal that pays out more than $100 million.
In all, the six-year extension is worth roughly $108 million. ThatâÂÂs an average of $18 million per year. His current deal pays out $15 million annually.
The contract runs through 2032, beyond the expiration of ESPNâÂÂs current deal with the NFL. Which essentially confirms (as if there was any doubt) that ESPN will emerge from the coming game of broadcast-rights musical chairs with a seat at the table.
As Marchand notes, Troy Aikman does not yet have a new deal. Buck and Aikman left Fox together for ESPN in 2022, and there were suggestions last month that they could be a package deal. AikmanâÂÂs five-year, $90 million contract runs through the Super Bowl, which ESPN/ABC will televise.
Aikman was already at $18 million per year. With Buck matching it, Aikman surely will be looking to get to at least $20 million. To go along with whatever heâÂÂs currently getting as a consultant for the Dolphins.