‘I just never thought you’d do it to me’: What Troy Aikman and Joe Buck reportedly said during heated argument
ESPN/ABC Monday Night Football commentators Joe Buck, left, and Troy Aikman before the Detroit Lions vs. Las Vegas Raiders game at Ford Field, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023.
It’s been clear for weeks that things aren’t great between Troy Aikman and Joe Buck. But now, we have a better idea of just how ugly things got between the longtime broadcast partners.
A new report details what the two said to each other during their argument in the Monday Night Football booth earlier this month, including Aikman accusing Buck of betraying him. The report also claims that ESPN has made its choice between the two.
Behind the Rift
Aikman and Buck have called NFL games together for 25 seasons, the longest continuous national broadcast pairing in league history. They spent two decades at Fox before ESPN brought them over in 2022, with Aikman signing a five-year, $90 million contract and Buck getting $75 million.
Things changed this year when ESPN quietly gave Buck a six-year, $108 million extension, while Aikman, whose contract expires after the Super Bowl, has yet to receive an offer. Neither Buck nor ESPN told Aikman about the deal.
Front Office Sports’ Ryan Glasspiegel first reported that the two argued before the Bills-Rams game on Oct. 12. One source later claimed that the argument nearly got physical, though the NFL said it had “no concern” about the duo.
The two have kept things professional on the air, but Puck’s Dylan Byers reported this week that it’s still “not a tension-free zone” behind the scenes.
‘I Just Never Thought You’d Do It to Me’
Now, Andrew Marchand of The Athletic has offered new details about the booth argument at SoFi Stadium. According to sources, Buck kicked it off by asking Aikman, “You are not going to [freaking] talk to me?” per The Athletic.
Aikman reportedly felt that Buck wanted to provoke a public backlash so that he could come off as the good guy.
“I’m not the reason you don’t have a contract,” Buck reportedly said as the argument continued.
Aikman, who reportedly long believed that Buck was behind ESPN’s turnover of producers and directors, fired back.
“I just never thought you’d do it to me,” Aikman reportedly said.
“They got rid of them because you were screaming at them,” Buck responded, according to the report.
The Athletic also reported that ESPN has “chosen Buck,” with Fox’s Greg Olsen widely considered the favorite to replace Aikman. The two are still expected to finish the season together, including calling Super Bowl 61 on Feb. 14.
Needless to say, that could make for an awkward final few months in the booth.
The post ‘I just never thought you’d do it to me’: What Troy Aikman and Joe Buck reportedly said during heated argument appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.
Source: sports.yahoo.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.