New report paints fuller picture of the Troy Aikman, Joe Buck rift

Tensions between broadcaster Troy Aikman and color analyst Joe Buck are again in focus, with The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand outlining new details about how the rift grew over their 25-year partnership. Marchand reports that before a Week 5 Monday night Bills-Rams game in Los Angeles, ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro held a tense one-hour conversation with Aikman about their future and whether Aikman could still work with Buck. The account describes a verbal clash after Buck allegedly told Aikman, “You are not going to fucking talk to me?” and disputed that Aikman’s contract situation was Buck’s fault. Marchand says ESPN ultimately chose not to negotiate further, citing costs and a belief there was “depth” in the market for NFL game analysts. The reporting also addresses missed timing in contract negotiations involving Aikman, Buck, and CAA.