ESPN re-signs Joe Buck for more than $100 million, highlighting company strategy

Buck signed with ESPN in 2022 alongside his longtime broadcast partner, Troy Aikman.In terms of scale, signing Buck and Aikman marked one of ESPN’s most important talent acquisitions in its 40-year history.The network spent years trying to find a booth that could match the quality of its competitors, from Sean McDonough and Steve Levy to Booger McFarland and Jason Witten.

Those pairings did not work.Joe Buck on the field before the game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Nov.6, 2023.

(Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE.DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!Buck and Aikman do.

In fact, they are often considered the best game duo in all of sports.Aikman, who signed a five-year, $90 million contract with ESPN, remains unsigned.His contract expires after the Super Bowl in February.We expect him to re-sign.ESPN commentator Troy Aikman walks the field prior to the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Commanders at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct.

27, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.(Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)Buck’s new deal secures him for not only the upcoming Super Bowl but also ESPN’s next one in 2031.

At 57, Buck could be in line for another contract after this one.For context, Al Michaels still calls Thursday Night Football for Amazon Prime at 81.JOSH PATE DISCUSSES NEW ESPN SHOW, FOUR FACES OF ESPN, PAT MCAFEE AND FUTURE OF MEDIA COMPANY WITH OUTKICKJoe Buck is now tied with Aikman as ESPN’s third-highest-paid on-air personality, behind Stephen A.Smith and Pat McAfee.

Smith makes around $21 million per year, while McAfee makes around $30 million.Note: McAfee’s deal is not a standard talent contract.He licenses his daily studio show to the network and has a separate agreement that includes roles on "College GameDay," "Monday Night Countdown," and other ESPN appearances.McAfee is reportedly in contract discussions with ESPN on a renewal worth around $65 milli...