ESPN is locking down one of the biggest names in sports media, dropping a reported $108 million on Joe Buck for a new six-year extension. This guy isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, keeping him front and center as a voice of the NFL schedule for the foreseeable future. Buck, 57, is currently in his fifth year with ESPN, which was the final year of his previous deal, and he’s already set to call the Super Bowl again when ABC and ESPN get the broadcast in February of 2027.
Monday Night Football Secures Its Star Voice
The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand dropped the bombshell, reporting the exact figures: a mind-blowing six years and $108 million. Yeah, you read that right. Over a hundred million bucks! This deal doesn’t even kick in until after *this* NFL season wraps up. Buck joined ESPN from Fox in 2022, bringing his longtime partner Troy Aikman with him, specifically to focus solely on “Monday Night Football.” That move paid off big time, with “Monday Night Football” regaining some serious prestige from decades ago. That elevated status ultimately gave ABC and ESPN the leverage to land a Super Bowl broadcast, proving the network’s bet on Buck was a smart one.
Buck had been a fixture at Fox from 1994 to 2021, calling both NFL and MLB games. But ESPN’s original lucrative deal was designed to elevate their football broadcasts, and this new extension doubles down on that commitment. Buck’s previous contract was for five years and a hefty $75 million, according to Marchand. So, he’s getting a notable raise here, pulling in $3 million more per season and tacking an extra year onto his new contract. That’s a serious investment in a guy who’s become synonymous with some of the biggest games in sports.
Super Bowl Stakes and Partner Questions
Beyond the regular season, Buck is now locked in for the biggest stage. ABC and ESPN are set to broadcast Super Bowl 61 in February 2027, marking the first time ESPN has ever called a Super Bowl, and the first time ABC has done so since February 2006. Remember Al Michaels and John Madden on that 2006 broadcast before they jumped ship to NBC? Well, Buck’s extension means he’ll also be on the mic for Super Bowl 65 in February 2031, which is the only other Super Bowl on ABC and ESPN’s current schedule. He’s got a history with the big game, having called six Super Bowls during his time with Fox.
While Buck is locked up long term, there’s a fascinating wrinkle: Troy Aikman’s contract is still set to expire after this season. So, while Buck is secured as the voice, he might just have a new partner in the booth when this massive extension kicks off in 2027. We know ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro would love to get World Series broadcasts in the future and have Buck call those games, but that’s not part of this specific extension. It’s an interesting thought though, isn’t it?
Buck’s locked up, set to be the voice for the biggest NFL games for the next six years. We’re talking multiple Super Bowls and the consistent energy he brings to Monday nights. Now, the big question mark is who’ll be alongside him after this season. And who knows, maybe we’ll hear him calling some World Series action down the line if Jimmy Pitaro gets his way. It’s gonna be interesting to watch how this all plays out!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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