Because millions care intensely about NFL football, they have similarly strong feelings about the voices that narrate the action on TV. And the unexpected escalation of tensions between Troy Aikman and ESPN/ABC has plenty of people wondering whether the relationship will end before his current contract expires.
Boomer Esiason raised the question this week on his WFAN morning show of whether Aikman would walk away.
“I don’t think he would do it, that’s not his nature, I don’t think,” Esiason said Friday, via Brandon Contes of Awful Announcing.
Of course, it may not be Aikman’s choice. ESPN could yank him from the broadcast whenever it chooses, if the situation continues to deteriorate. Sure, they’d need to replace him on the fly. But they currently have a small army of NFL voices on the payroll — many of whom would drive a lawnmower through a minefield for a chance to fill the spot.
It’s hard to imagine Aikman walking away in a Super Bowl year. But if he becomes sufficiently disillusioned with the situation, it can’t be ruled out.
Much of it depends on whether any of the apparent animosity makes its way into a broadcast. For now, it hasn’t. But everyone who’s aware of the situation (and, frankly, many who watch Monday Night Football aren’t and won’t be) will be watching and listening for any hint in any stray comment or pointed remark.
Ultimately, it takes two to tango in any employment relationship. And if the two sides know the music will stop once the confetti falls in L.A. on Valentine’s Day, a premature record scratch is possible.
In some respects, it’s already happening.