Joe Buck’s retirement plan emerges as contract talks enter crunch time ahead of ESPN’s Super Bowl first

Apr 12, 2026 - 08:30

It has been speculated that ESPN could lose one of it’s most iconic commentators.

When thinking of iconic sports broadcasting duos, Troy Aikman and Joe Buck are towards the top of many lists.

Joe Buck and Troy Aikman look on prior to a game between the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 16, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. — Buck and Aikman have become signature voices of ESPN’s NFL coverage

The duo joined the network from FOX, signing multi-year deals in 2022 as ESPN looked to strengthen its Monday Night Football coverage.

Now, four-years later, Joe Buck – also the voice of baseball having called 23 World Series – is coming towards the end of his current contract which expires at the end of the upcoming NFL season.

If Buck were to hit ‘free-agency’ he wouldn’t be short of suitors, and some have speculated he could leave ESPN to join a rival network.

At 56-years-old, the legendary sports commentator has also been tipped by some to retire, but he appears to have no plans to hang up the microphone any time soon.

“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,” Buck told Richard Deitsch on the Sports Media with Richard Deitsch podcast.

“I have 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 here where I am until I’m finished.”

Buck also told Deitsch that there have been no formal talks between himself and the network, but he believes both sides are happy.

His statement should be music to the ears of ESPN’s brass, not only is he one of the best in the business, but the network has a massive year ahead of it.

ESPN broadcaster Joe Buck looks on prior to the game between the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles at Lambeau Field on November 10, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. — Buck has made it clear he wants to stay at ESPN ahead of the final year of his contract

Lead play-by-play announcer Joe Buck on the sidelines before the Monday night NFL game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Los Angeles Rams on December 29, 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia — Despite his comments, the 56-year-old noted that he has not had contract discussions yet

Buck excited to be a part of ESPN’s first Super Bowl broadcast in 2027

It has been a busy start to the year for the network.

Its $3 billion takeover of NFL Network was finalized last week, and contract speculation is already beginning on notable names, including Ian Rapoport.

ESPN also declared in February that this year would be “The Year of the Super Bowl,” a 12-month, multi-platform celebration leading up to the network’s first-ever Super Bowl production in February.

It will also be jointly aired with ABC, another first for the league.

Buck and Aikman will be joined by Laura Rutledge and Lisa Salters will be on that call from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

“This is a big thing for ESPN and ABC, and I don’t think that’s something that we should scoff at,” Buck added.

A general elevated view of SoFi Stadium prior to an NFL game — SoFi Stadium will be the venue of ESPN’s first ever Super Bowl broadcast, with Buck and Aikman on play-by-play

“I think it’s something that should be celebrated. I love being at a place that holds this thing up. Like this is our chance. That’s a great feeling as an announcer.

“The buildup, I love. I don’t think it adds any pressure. It doesn’t add any pressure to me. It just means that the people that I work for are excited about it and that’s good.”

Throughout his broadcasting career, Buck has called six Super Bowls, all during his time with FOX.

Now, in 2027, he will get the chance to call the first one in ESPN history. Whether he has a new contract by then remains to be seen.

Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.