Troy Aikman and Joe Buck’s ESPN Rift Deepens Over Contract Talks

Troy Aikman and Joe Buck’s relationship has soured after 25 years working together.

The dispute involves the longtime broadcasters on ESPN’s Monday Night Football, the network’s weekly NFL telecast.

Before a Week 5 game between the Bills and Rams, ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro spoke with Aikman about the rift and whether the pair could continue working together.

Aikman said he could work with Buck, but the two later had a heated exchange.

Aikman reportedly believed Buck and ESPN had arranged a new deal while he was left waiting, though the timing of Buck’s deal is unclear.

ESPN passed on Aikman’s proposed pay increase, even after he was reportedly willing to accept the same 18% raise Buck received.

ESPN says talks with Aikman are paused, and it has no plan in place for a Monday Night Football booth without him.