ESPN Makes Massive Decision On Joe Buck
Joe Buck starts his next chapter.
Joe Buck isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
The longtime broadcaster reportedly agreed to a new six-year contract with ESPN worth around $108 million, according to The Athletic. The deal will keep Buck calling “Monday Night Football” games and give him a chance to call at least two more Super Bowls.
It’s a huge pay jump, too. When Buck first left Fox, he signed a five-year, $75 million deal. This new deal makes his pay from $15 million a year all the way up to $18 million.
Buck’s ESPN Future Looks Set
Joe Buck (Photo via Imagn Images)
Buck has built one of the longest careers in sports broadcasting. He joined Fox in 1994 and spent years calling major NFL and MLB events. He has called six Super Bowls and 23 World Series during his career.
His new ESPN deal could add two more Super Bowls to that total. ESPN and ABC will air the Super Bowl again in 2031, giving Buck another top event on his schedule.
Buck also has other opportunities waiting at ESPN and Disney. According to Andrew Marchand, ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro has his eye on MLB’s World Series broadcast rights when they become available in 2029. Pitaro has reportedly told Buck that he wants him to call the games if ESPN lands those rights.
Disney has also used Buck outside the football booth. The network has tapped him to guest-host “Good Morning America.” He could also be a part of the sports version of “Jeopardy!” on Disney+.
People were already wondering what would happen to both Buck and Troy Aikman’s contracts. But now that Buck is locked in, everyone is looking at Aikman.
The former Cowboys quarterback has been calling games alongside Buck for 25 years, and his contract expires after this season. With Buck’s deal out of the way, Aikman definitely has some extra bargaining power when he sits down to talk about his own future with ESPN.
Money-wise, Buck is right near the top of the network’s payroll. Stephen A. Smith makes around $21 million a year, and Pat McAfee might see an even bigger payday with his next deal, though a lot of that covers production costs for his show.
By the time this new contract wraps up, Buck will be 63 years old. It also gives him the chance to add to an already decorated career, which includes calling as many as eight Super Bowls across two different networks.
