It was announced Wednesday that Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, who worked together for 20 NFL seasons in the broadcast booth, have signed a multi-year deal to join ESPN as the new voices for Monday Night Football.
The duo, both inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, will also be publishing content for ESPN+.
“When you have the opportunity to invite the NFL’s iconic, longest-running broadcast duo, you’ll take it, especially at a time when we’re on the cusp of a new era in our expanding relationship with the NFL,” said Jimmy Pitaro. Disney Chairman of ESPN and Sports Content. “The NFL continues to grow and we now have more games than ever before, providing additional opportunities for Joe, Troy and our extensive caster roster.”
In 2022, Buck and Aikman will equal legendary broadcast duo Pat Summerall and John Madden in their 21st season together in the booth.
Beyond is excited about the next chapter of my life. Like this!!! @TroyAikman @espn pic.twitter.com/ggdlnziFQy
— Joe Buck (@Buck) March 16, 2022
Like most kids of my generation, I grew up watching MNF with Frank Gifford, Howard Cosell and my mom’s favorite Don Meredith, so you can only imagine how excited I am to be part of the MNF legacy and continue to work with Joe Buck, my partner in broadcasts for the last 20 years!#MNFonESPN🏈 pic.twitter.com/MKPeqncs0l
— Troy Aikman (@TroyAikman) March 16, 2022
Buck and Aikman have named six Super Bowls, surpassing all other couples/stands except Summerall and Madden.
“Everything about Monday Night Football, including broadcast, sets the standard for the modern NFL,” said Buck, an eight-time Emmy Award winner. “My earliest memories of walking through football stadiums are with my father when he called on Monday Night Football radio.
“To be back in the stadium on Monday nights with Troy, who makes me feel as comfortable and confident as possible, and to start a new chapter for us and ESPN, I’m excited about this season and our future.”
Lisa Salters, Monday Night Football’s longest-serving reporter, will return for her 11th season on the show.
The new ESPN team will debut in the regular season on September 12th.
Aikman, who won three Super Bowl titles as a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006; Buck entered the Hall in 2020 with the Pete Rozelle Radio Television Award.
“The opportunity to be the voice of Monday Night Football, add to its legacy and be part of the future of the NFL on ESPN motivates me and makes me think,” Aikman said in a statement. “When I was a kid in California, the voices of Frank Gifford, Howard Cosell, and my mom’s favorite, Don Meredith, echoed throughout our living room every week.
“Joe and I are proud to be part of the same tradition that has been going on for over 50 years among generations of football fans. I’m looking forward to the next few years with ESPN and all of our new teammates.”
ESPN will play 22 games in 2022/23, up from 20 last season. One Monday Night Football match will air exclusively on ABC, and Sunday’s international will air on ESPN+.
The schedule for this season includes three weeks of multiple NFL games on ESPN networks, rising to five for the 2023-2024 season.
ESPN will continue to broadcast the Pro Bowl.