Joe Buck Signs $108M Extension to Anchor ESPN's 'Monday Night Football' Through 2031

Key points

• The new six-year deal is valued at approximately $108 million, with an average annual salary of $18 million, up from $15 million under his previous five-year, $75 million contract.
• The extension ensures Buck will call ESPN's first Super Bowl in February 2026 and the network's next Super Bowl broadcast in 2031.
• Buck's partner, Troy Aikman, remains unsigned as his five-year, $90 million contract expires after the 2026 Super Bowl.
• ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro has expressed interest in acquiring World Series rights starting in 2029 and has indicated he wants Buck to call it, but no provision in the new contract guarantees this assignment.
• Buck and Aikman are in their 25th season together, the longest-running booth pairing in NFL history.

Background

Buck and Aikman joined ESPN in 2022 after leaving Fox, signing combined deals worth $165 million in what was described as the most frenzied NFL broadcasting offseason in history. Buck had previously spent 27 years at Fox, calling a record 24 World Series. The current 2026 season marks ESPN's first Super Bowl broadcast since 2005. In August 2026, Buck and Aikman shared a lighthearted moment on air with Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza, highlighting their continued on-air chemistry.

How outlets are covering it

The Athletic, USA Today, Bleacher Report, and RealGM all confirm the core details of the six-year, $108 million extension and the salary increase to $18 million annually. The Athletic and RealGM note that ESPN declined to publicly confirm contract specifics, citing a focus on the upcoming season. Bleacher Report emphasizes that Buck is now tied for third among all NFL broadcasters in pay and is the highest-paid play-by-play announcer. The Athletic and RealGM highlight ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro's interest in World Series rights for 2029, noting that while Pitaro wants Buck to call it, the new contract does not guarantee the assignment. USA Today and Bleacher Report focus on the uncertainty surrounding Aikman's future, noting he remains unsigned and is represented by the same agency as Buck. All sources agree that Buck's deal secures his presence for ESPN's 2026 and 2031 Super Bowl broadcasts.

Why it matters

The extension solidifies ESPN's top-tier NFL broadcasting talent for the next decade, ensuring continuity for 'Monday Night Football' and the network's Super Bowl broadcasts. It also highlights the ongoing competition for top sports media talent, as other networks face expiring contracts for key announcers. The potential for Buck to call the World Series if ESPN acquires those rights in 2029 could further expand his role beyond football, though this remains uncertain. The deal also underscores the financial power of major sports networks in securing marquee talent, with Buck's $18 million annual salary placing him among the highest-paid personalities in sports media.

What to watch

The primary question is whether Troy Aikman will sign a new deal with ESPN or move to another network, as his contract expires after the 2026 Super Bowl. ESPN's potential acquisition of World Series rights in 2029 could lead to a new assignment for Buck, though this is not guaranteed. Other NFL broadcasters, including Pat Summerall, Kirk Herbstreit, and Ian Eagle, are also facing contract expirations or potential moves, which could lead to further shifts in the NFL broadcasting landscape. ESPN's focus remains on delivering coverage for the 2026 season and its first Super Bowl in over two decades.