Joe Buck just inked a massive six-year, $108 million contract extension with ESPN this week, and if the network plays its cards right, he could be back in the MLB booth calling the World Series as soon as 2029. This isn’t just about keeping him around for more Super Bowls, folks, it’s a big-time strategic play to bring him back to baseball.
The Big Swing That Brought Buck to Bristol
Remember back in 2022 when ESPN went all-out, swinging for the fences to snag Joe Buck and Troy Aikman from Fox? That was huge! They needed a big voice to lead their Monday Night Football coverage, and they got two of the best. But that deal effectively put an end to Buck’s legendary run calling baseball games. The guy worked 24 World Series with Fox, a wild number, right? Since moving over to ESPN, he’s only called one baseball game, a Yankees-Brewers matchup last year. It felt like a chapter closed for good, but apparently, ESPN wasn’t done with that story.
ESPN’s Play to Reclaim MLB, With Buck at the Mic
The chatter from The Athletic is that ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro is seriously eyeing the World Series broadcasting rights in 2029. And if they manage to swipe those rights, Pitaro has already told Buck he wants him to be the voice of it all. This isn’t just some pipe dream, it’s a calculated move. Think about where ESPN stands with MLB rights right now: they’ve taken a huge step back. For the first time in decades, the Home Run Derby wasn’t on ESPN. NBC/Peacock snatched up Sunday Night Baseball, which used to be an ESPN staple. Plus, we won’t see any postseason games on ESPN this year, period. Right now, it’s mostly midweek broadcasts, special event games, and hosting MLB.tv on their app. So, for them to make a run at the World Series with this kind of money and commitment to Buck? It’s a clear signal they want back in the game, big time.
Of course, there’s no guarantee in Buck’s new contract that any of this actually happens. ESPN still has to land those rights in 2029. But the intent is crystal clear: if ESPN gets back into MLB postseason coverage, having Joe Buck at the microphone just makes all the sense in the world. Get ready to keep an eye on those broadcast deals, because the future of baseball on your screen might be about to get a major shake-up.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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