Why ESPN will have trouble landing Peyton Manning…
ESPN’s most well-liked alternative for Troy Aikman is already related to the community — but is an unlikely reply to their emptiness.
During a Q&A Tuesday, Marchand said he believes Peyton Manning is “ESPN’s No. 1 choice” to staff with NFL play-by-play voice Joe Buck when Aikman’s contract is up after the Super Bowl in February.
However, the state of affairs is sophisticated.
Peyton Manning arrives for the premiere of Hulu’s “Chad Powers” at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. Getty Images
Manning has beforehand turned down affords to work in a broadcast sales space. Still, it’s probably ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro will attain out to Manning to gauge his curiosity on the concept, according to Marchand.
He and his Omaha manufacturing company are under a longterm contract with ESPN for his and brother Eli Manning’s “Manning-Cast” that airs during most “Monday Night Football” broadcasts.
The sibling quarterback greats have an ideally suited state of affairs with the Worldwide Leader, where they will work from home and cowl video games without the grueling journey schedule analysts endure.
The Mannings are scheduled to analyze 12 video games this season, as effectively as Super Bowl 2027, The Athletic beforehand reported.
Joe Buck, left, and Troy Aikman look on before an NFC Wild Card playoff sport between the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla., Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. Getty Images
Buck lately moved to Denver and lives 5 minutes from Peyton, according to The Athletic.
Greg Olsen, who is a colour commentator in Fox’s No. 2 sales space, is taken into account the favourite for the job, per Marchand.
Aikman and Buck have been at odds in the sales space after Buck signed a six-year contract extension with ESPN in September, value more than $100 million, to continue “Monday Night Football.”
Troy Aikman appears to be like on from the sideline during warmups prior to an NFL soccer sport between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 26, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Getty Images
During a Sept. 20 interview on the “Sports Media with Richard Deitsch” podcast, Aikman explained that he thought he would’ve had a new contract performed — and he hadn’t heard from ESPN at that level.
Aikman and Buck have been broadcast companions for 25 years between their time at Fox and ESPN.
Both Buck and Aikman — who called more than 300 video games together for Fox — left the community for ESPN to step into the “Monday Night Football” sales space in March 2022.
Stay up to date with the latest trending topics! Visit our web site daily for the freshest Sports news and content, rigorously curated to keep you informed.
