Troy Aikman's future, JJ Watt's performance, the state of College Gameday, the return of Doc Rivers and more · Sports Media Watch Podcast · Radar

Troy Aikman’s ESPN Contract Leverage1:21 – 5:40

1:21

So Troy Aikman has been very candid throughout his career about his status.

1:26

Certainly four years ago when his contract was expiring at Fox, he was very open, a lot of on the record quotes about his circumstances.

1:35

This seems to be playing out, at least at the very beginning, somewhat similarly.

1:39

Now, So far, Aikman has not said anything that should give anyone at ESPN real pause.

1:46

But the fact is, in this interview with Richard Deitch, he says, I expected a contract by now.

1:52

And obviously, that's meaningful.

1:55

It's meaningful that he expected a contract by now and has not received one.

1:59

And also, he seems to be quite cognizant of his leverage as someone who helped ESPN mend its relationship with the NFL.

2:06

I don't think it was a coincidence that he mentioned that.

2:09

I don't think it was a coincidence he mentioned twice that ESPN is now owned 10% by the NFL.

2:14

And I think that ultimately Aikman knows that ESPN is going to have a hard time replacing him.

2:19

Certainly not without breaking out the Brinks truck, because there may be some good candidates out there, some impressive young announcers who in the case of Greg Olson have proven their worth, but aren't getting the assignments they deserve.

2:31

But ultimately Aikman believes he's the best of the best.

2:34

And why shouldn't he? You could argue that Buck and Aikman are the Madden and Summerall of their time.

2:38

And of course, Buck already got his new contract, Aikman still without one.

2:43

Makes you wonder if ESPN might be using Buck as a bit of insurance here.

2:48

Because remember, Fox had Buck under contract when Aikman left, but only for one more year.

2:55

So that was relatively easy for Joe Buck to ask his way out of.

2:59

Well, Joe Buck, according to reports last week by Andrew Marchand, has signed a six-year extension to remain with ESPN.

3:05

He's not getting out of that contract.

3:07

There's not enough Big Ten football games to trade.

3:10

So he's not getting out of that contract.

3:12

And the fact is, if Aikman leaves, that partnership, they've been working together for 25 years, will have to come to an end.

3:20

And that's not just a regular partnership.

3:22

Those two are real friends.

Troy Aikman’s ESPN Contract Leverage1:21 – 5:40

1:21

So Troy Aikman has been very candid throughout his career about his status.

1:26

Certainly four years ago when his contract was expiring at Fox, he was very open, a lot of on the record quotes about his circumstances.

1:35

This seems to be playing out, at least at the very beginning, somewhat similarly.

1:39

Now, So far, Aikman has not said anything that should give anyone at ESPN real pause.

1:46

But the fact is, in this interview with Richard Deitch, he says, I expected a contract by now.

1:52

And obviously, that's meaningful.

1:55

It's meaningful that he expected a contract by now and has not received one.

1:59

And also, he seems to be quite cognizant of his leverage as someone who helped ESPN mend its relationship with the NFL.

2:06

I don't think it was a coincidence that he mentioned that.

2:09

I don't think it was a coincidence he mentioned twice that ESPN is now owned 10% by the NFL.

2:14

And I think that ultimately Aikman knows that ESPN is going to have a hard time replacing him.

2:19

Certainly not without breaking out the Brinks truck, because there may be some good candidates out there, some impressive young announcers who in the case of Greg Olson have proven their worth, but aren't getting the assignments they deserve.

2:31

But ultimately Aikman believes he's the best of the best.

2:34

And why shouldn't he? You could argue that Buck and Aikman are the Madden and Summerall of their time.

2:38

And of course, Buck already got his new contract, Aikman still without one.

2:43

Makes you wonder if ESPN might be using Buck as a bit of insurance here.

2:48

Because remember, Fox had Buck under contract when Aikman left, but only for one more year.

2:55

So that was relatively easy for Joe Buck to ask his way out of.

2:59

Well, Joe Buck, according to reports last week by Andrew Marchand, has signed a six-year extension to remain with ESPN.

3:05

He's not getting out of that contract.

3:07

There's not enough Big Ten football games to trade.

3:10

So he's not getting out of that contract.

3:12

And the fact is, if Aikman leaves, that partnership, they've been working together for 25 years, will have to come to an end.

3:20

And that's not just a regular partnership.

3:22

Those two are real friends.