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In the final year of his ESPN contract, and with reports swirling about tension with broadcast partner Joe Buck, Troy Aikman knows that he could be staring down change.
“As I’m into my last year at ESPN, I’m realizing that this is something that could very well be taken away from me,” Aikman said during an appearance on “Fish @ 6” with Cowboys reporter Mike Fisher. “For the first time, I’m realizing how much I really do. I’ve always enjoyed it. I’ve always known that. But until you risk having something taken away from you, I think sometimes you tend to maybe take things for granted.
“And so, for the first time probably in my career, I’m realizing, you know, this is a great profession. It’s been a great ride for me, and I hope it’s not over. Time will tell. But, yeah. So, we’ll see. I’m excited about what the rest of this year holds, and I’m excited to finally get back into the booth for a Super Bowl.”
Aikman wasn’t directly asked about his future at the network, but rather if the thought that broadcasting was “in your blood” after decades in the booth following a Hall of Fame career as a player.
And his answer, in turn, became a telling reflection of just how much has changed with his ESPN outlook — especially after reports surfaced of a confrontation between Buck and Aikman on the field before the Bills’ “Monday Night Football” game against the Rams earlier this month.
Aikman has been Buck’s broadcast partner since 2002 and went from Fox to ESPN with him, but Buck’s new $108 million deal to remain with the Worldwide Leader irked Aikman because he wasn’t informed by Buck or the network.
Buck, according to the Puck newsletter, snapped at Aikman on the field at SoFi Stadium after weeks of short comments from Aikman, and the legendary Cowboys quarterback responded, “You f–ked me.”
In his “Fish @ 6” appearance, Aikman admitted that he doesn’t know what’s next for him.
He listed off a handful of options — including his EIGHT Elite Light Beer that he founded, something not even connected to the NFL — but didn’t mention ESPN, perhaps only adding to the speculation that the network could be replacing the analyst following the Super Bowl in February.
“Maybe it’s a continuation of broadcasting with some other network, which would be exciting to me,” Aikman, who also maintained that he still feels young, said. “Maybe it’s doing some work with an organization. I really enjoyed the time that I spent with the Miami Dolphins this past offseason. Maybe there could be something there if nothing comes about in broadcasting. Or who knows what might happen.
“But, for the first time, I’m kinda open for business, and I’m looking forward to figuring out what those options might be.”