The most high-stakes sports TV talent negotiation of the year is poised to kick off between Troy Aikman, Joe Buck, and ESPN.
ESPN wants to re-up the Monday Night Football duo, whose contracts expire after the 2026 NFL season. If ESPN gets its way, Aikman and Buck will call ESPN’s historic first two Super Bowls after the 2026 and 2030 NFL seasons. But there’s also an intriguing player in the mix: Creative Artists Agency.
The powerhouse talent agency now represents both Aikman and Buck, say sources. Since its founding over 50 years ago, CAA has mastered the art of packaging talent, shows, and properties it represents. With two Super Bowls on the line, CAA will be able to package Aikman and Buck—and potentially drive a very high price for the pair. Flanked by sideline reporters Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge, the duo are set to kick off their fifth season of MNF with Broncos at Chiefs on Sept. 14. Last year, MNF averaged 16.5 million viewers across 23 games, up 10%. It was the second most-watched season in ESPN’s 20-year history with the iconic primetime franchise.
But the clock is ticking. Aikman and Buck’s current contracts are set to expire after they call Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium in Southern California on Feb. 14. The 59-year-old Aikman is entering the last season of his original five-year, $90 million deal with ESPN that pays him over $18 million a year. The 57-year-old Buck in the final season of his five-year, $75 million deal that pays $15 million a year. The stakes are high for all involved.
