ESPN play-by-play broadcaster Joe Buck has agreed to a six-year contract extension worth approximately $108 million, securing his role as the voice of “Monday Night Football” into the next decade, according to sources who spoke to The Athletic under anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the public agreement. The deal increases Buck’s annual salary from $15 million to roughly $18 million and ensures he will call the network’s upcoming Super Bowl this February as well as its next broadcast rotation in 2031.
Contract Terms and Salary Structure
Buck is currently in the final season of a five-year, $75 million deal he signed when he and broadcast partner Troy Aikman moved from Fox to ESPN ahead of the 2022 NFL season. According to sources cited by The Athletic, the new agreement runs through 2032 and pushes his yearly earnings to $18 million. ESPN executive vice president of communications Josh Krulewitz declined to address talent contract specifics publicly ahead of the network’s first Super Bowl broadcast, stating in comments provided to media that the organization’s entire focus centers on football coverage.
Uncertainty Surrounding Broadcast Partner Troy Aikman
While Buck’s long-term future with the network is set, his longtime booth partner Troy Aikman remains unsigned past the current season. Aikman is finishing a five-year, $90 million contract that expires after the Super Bowl, leaving the future of the 25-year broadcast pairing up in the air. Buck and Aikman currently share the longest-running booth partnership in NFL history.
Potential Future Rights and Broadcaster Movement
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro has expressed interest in securing the broadcasting rights to Major League Baseball’s World Series when they become available in 2029, according to sources briefed on network plans. Those same sources indicated that Pitaro has told Buck he would want him to call the Fall Classic if ESPN acquires the rights, though the new contract contains no formal guarantee. Buck called a record 24 World Series during his tenure at Fox before joining ESPN. Meanwhile, the broader sports media landscape faces potential upheaval as other prominent broadcasters enter the final years of their contracts, including Amazon Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” team of Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit, CBS game-caller Ian Eagle, Fox analyst Greg Olsen, and interim CBS analyst J.J. Watt.
Did you know? Joe Buck will be 63 years old at the conclusion of his new six-year contract with ESPN, by which point he will have called eight Super Bowls on television.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Joe Buck’s new ESPN contract worth?
Joe Buck’s six-year contract extension is worth approximately $108 million, raising his annual salary from $15 million to about $18 million, according to sources who spoke to The Athletic.
When does Joe Buck’s new contract expire?
The agreement runs through 2032, covering six additional seasons and locking in Buck’s role through the 2031 Super Bowl.
Is Troy Aikman returning to ESPN?
Troy Aikman remains unsigned as he finishes the final year of his five-year, $90 million contract, which ends following this season’s Super Bowl.
How many Super Bowls has Joe Buck called?
Buck has called six Super Bowls in his career and is positioned to reach eight appearances by the end of his new contract.
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