Joe Buck-Troy Aikman tension has lingered since pregame blowup

Joe Buck and Troy Aikman are doing a good job of presenting a happy front on the air, but a new report from Puck suggests things behind the scenes have remained icy. Writing in his Inner Circle newsletter, Dylan Byers reported that he was told by a source that “It’s not a tension-free zone.”It was also suggested that dialogue with the Worldwide Leader’s leadership has eased the tension only slightly and that Aikman, who has indicated in several media interviews already, is most likely going to go somewhere else next season. The new reporting is the latest in the drama between the two “Monday Night Football” broadcasters that has flared up following Buck’s six-year, $108 million contract extension with the Disney-owned sports network. Things hit a boiling point when Buck and Aikman reportedly also got into a blow-up prior to an Oct.12 “Monday Night Football” broadcast at SoFi Stadium. Aikman, whose contract is up after this season at ESPN, has not received an extension.

He’s expressed surprise that it wasn’t handled prior to the start of the NFL season.An earlier report by Puck stated that Aikman did not learn of Buck’s contract extension from his broadcast partner or any execs from the House of Mouse, and that he viewed the actions as “ the ultimate act of betrayal.”“They cut this deal in May and put it in a drawer.ESPN didn’t tell him, Joe didn’t tell him.

Even CAA didn’t tell him,” one source told Puck in the report. On the air during Monday’s recent MNF broadcast, the two didn’t hint at any issues. Buck got a laugh out of the former Cowboys quarterback when he made a joke about Michael Irvin’s sideline celebration and praised Aikman’s Super Bowl highlights against the Bills. ...