BRADSHAW ADDRESSES AIKMAN-BUCK ESPN CONTRACT DISPUTE

Terry Bradshaw has commented on a reported contract dispute between ESPN broadcasters Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, in remarks to Fox News's Brian Kilmeade. Buck signed a six-year extension with ESPN reportedly worth $108 million, while Aikman remains on the contract he signed in 2022, which ends after the Super Bowl in February. Front Office Sports reported that the dispute arose after Aikman was not told of Buck's new deal, leading to an argument between the two before ESPN's Monday Night Football broadcast on 12 October. Bradshaw said: "I don't want to believe that it's the money that Buck got that's got Troy upset because Troy's making big money."

Buck and Aikman worked together at Fox Sports for more than two decades before both joined ESPN in 2022. Bradshaw, a commentator since 1994, said he counted both men as close friends and had exchanged texts with Buck about the dispute. He said he understood the pair had intended to negotiate new contracts together, but Buck's extension was finalised first. "Joe evidently got his before Troy. And that seems to be the rift," Bradshaw said, adding that his understanding was that "things are OK" between the two.

Aikman addressed the reports, saying he was uncertain about the timing. He said: "I'll broadcast through this season and I'll be a free agent at the end of the year and kind of see what happens." Aikman added that he was looking forward to the Super Bowl and finding out where his "next landing spot" might be. Aikman reportedly felt that Buck had kept the contract negotiations secret from him.