Troy Aikman, the Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback, has ascended to the pinnacle of the NFL broadcasting world in terms of compensation.
The Landmark Contract
Aikman signed a groundbreaking five-year contract with ESPN in 2022 to serve as the lead game analyst for Monday Night Football. This agreement solidified his status as the highest-paid sports broadcaster in NFL history.
Record-Setting Salary
The core financial detail of his ESPN contract is $18.5 million per year. This figure significantly surpasses the earnings of his contemporaries and predecessors in NFL broadcasting roles.
Contract Term and Context
- Duration: The deal runs through the 2027 NFL season.
- Role: Aikman serves as the primary game analyst for ESPN's flagship Monday Night Football telecast.
- Partnership: He continues his longstanding broadcast partnership with lead play-by-play commentator Joe Buck at ESPN.
- Historical Significance: Prior to joining ESPN, Aikman and Buck formed the lead broadcast team for Fox Sports from 2002 to 2021. His departure from Fox, driven in large part by ESPN's significantly higher financial offer, marked a major shift in the broadcasting landscape.
Impact and Comparison
Aikman's $18.5 million annual salary sets the benchmark for NFL broadcasters. It represents a substantial increase from his previous reported salary and places him far ahead of other prominent analysts and play-by-play voices covering the league. His move to ESPN with Buck significantly upgraded the network's top broadcast booth.
