NFL exec weighs in on Troy Aikman-Joe Buck…
The NFL isn’t anxious about the supposed rift between ESPN’s Joe Buck and Troy Aikman.
One week after the longtime “Monday Night Football” broadcasters reportedly bought into an argument over Aikman’s unsure future with the Worldwide Leader, NFL chief media officer Hans Schroeder said Wednesday that he had “no concern” about the supposed pressure between the 2.
“I don’t know if you watched the [49ers and Commanders] game on Monday night,” Schroeder said during an homeowners assembly this week, via Front Office Sports. “It was an incredible game, right? It was an incredible game and incredible coverage by Joe and Troy, just like they always do. And, by the way, also, there’s so many other ways that Disney covered that game. It was the first real [Pat] McAfee launch, too, adding to that experience. So, look, that’s something… that we’re really not involved with.”
Joe Buck, left, and Troy Aikman look on prior to the NFC wild-card playoff recreation between the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. Getty Images
The alleged argument occurred before the Rams-Bills recreation on Oct. 12, with tensions reportedly stemming from their vastly different contract conditions.
Buck lately signed a six-year, $108 million extension with ESPN while his accomplice, whom he has labored with since 2002, has yet to obtain a new offer from the community, with his contract set to expire after this season.
Last week, Aikman told sports activities media reporter Jimmy Traina that he believes the company is prepared to transfer on from him.
“It just seems to be where they’re going — that they’re gonna go in a different direction because there’s been no talks, no contract negotiations,” Aikman said. “We’re in a Super Bowl year. The Super Bowl is Feb. 14. My contract ends in March. It just doesn’t seem logical that if they were gonna keep me, something wouldn’t be in place before that.”
They appeared to put their variations apart during Monday evening’s broadcast in Santa Clara, Calif., displaying no apparent indicators of pressure on the air.
Schroeder expressed confidence that Buck and Aikman would continue delivering high quality broadcasts through the remaining of the season, including when ESPN airs its first Super Bowl in February.
Joe Buck, left, and Troy Aikman attend the Disney 2025 Upfront Red Carpet at North Javits Center in New York on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Variety via Getty Images
“I think the fans are deserving of first-class game production, which Joe and Troy have, I think — going back to ’02 or something was their first year — a history of doing that as well as anyone,” he said. “And I think you’ll continue to see them do that as well as anyone. I thought it was awesome Monday night. And so we’re incredibly excited about the year… and the Super Bowl and their coverage and getting them back as far as ESPN’s first ever and ABC’s in a long time. They’re going to do an unbelievable job.”
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