ESPN racing to sign ‘best NFL broadcast duo’ for historic Super Bowls, ‘Clock is ticking’

Aug 6, 2026 - 20:45

ESPN’s star Monday Night Football double act Troy Aikman and Joe Buck are out of contract in 2027.

The broadcasters are both represented by Creative Artists Agency.

Buck and Aikman have perfect on-screen chemistry

ESPN is airing its first ever Super Bowl this season, with another in 2030, and that gives Dallas Cowboys icon Aikman and Buck plenty of leverage.

CAA can package them as a duo and drive a hard bargain, especially with MNF driving high ratings thanks to the announcers, as well as Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge.

Aikman is closing out a five-year contract worth $90 million, while Buck earned $75 million over the same period.

While an embattled CBS deal with Tony Romo placed on leave, and Brady juggles his part-ownership of the Raiders with his Fox role, it is the ESPN pair, and the fabled MNF spot that everyone loves.

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Front Office Sports’ Michael McCarthy calls ESPN’s star turns ‘the best NFL broadcast duo in the biz’ but has issued a warning on the pair’s future

‘The clock is ticking’ says McCarthy as the pair prepare for Super Bowl LXI, their seventh season finale — only John Madden and Pat Summerall managed more with eight.

ESPN boss Jimmy Pitaro made a bold move to scoop Aikman and Buck from FOX Sports and it has paid dividends with a reliable and beloved team in place for what will be a historic game for the self-styled Worldwide Leader in Sports.

The network will put its own spin on the event, with an an alternate ManningCast with Peyton and Eli, and Pat McAfee also rumored to be lining up a viewing experience.

ESPN targets Super Bowl viewing record

Rutledge says the goal is to pass the 127.71 million viewers who tuned in to Fox Sports to watch the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs in 2025 — a Super Bowl record.

Aikman has previously ranked among the best-paid commentators and Tom Brady‘s $375 million deal has set a new benchmark.

FOS claims that both sides want to get a deal done, but ESPN bosses will feel a lot better once contracts are signed.

ESPN paid up to sign the Hall of Famers from FOX

“At some point I’ll walk away; hopefully it’s my decision whenever that time comes,” Aikman said on the Sports Media with Richard Deitsch podcast. “But for right now, I’m really enjoying my time at ESPN.

“I love working with Joe. I love the people I work with. It’s been a lot of fun. I don’t see the end coming anytime soon.”

Buck’s wife Michelle Beisner-Buck is a features reporter for ESPN and he also seems happy.

“If you reached through my computer screen right now and handed me a contract to continue my time at ESPN, I would sign it without even looking at it,” he told Deitsch. “I’ve loved every second of it and I am hopeful that I’m at ESPN for the rest of my career.

“That’s as plain as I can say it and as honest as I can say it and maybe it’s stupid of me to say.

“If something gets thrown at me and I have to shift, I’ll shift. But I would be hopeful to stay right where I am until I’m finished.”