NFL announcers’ talk of hot stoves continues to be wild this off-season.
As Andrew Marchand of The Post reported for the first time, Troy Aikman is leaving Fox Sports for ESPN, and ESPN would like to bring Joe Buck with him if contractual barriers can be removed.
Mike Leslie of the WFAA in Dallas asked the legendary Cowboys quarterback if he would like to continue working with Buck – they have been working together with Fox since 2002 – and the answer could not be more positive.
“We have a great friendship. We really do, “Aikman said. “We’ve been through a lot in our profession. But we have also gone through a lot in our personal lives. Somehow we had a parallel in our personal lives and we helped each other get through a lot of that. ”
Aikman said a little ominously that their friendship had been “taken for granted” by unnamed countries.
“I know this is not the norm,” he said. “I think a lot of partners get along, but he’s really one of my best friends. I think there is probably more to be said, and I think it may be at the right time, but there has been some frustration with how this may have been taken for granted by some. “
Aikman ended with more praise for his longtime partner.
“He was a fantastic partner, I think the best in business, and there’s nothing I would want more than to continue working with him,” he said.