ESPN on verge of using the services of Fox Sports’ Troy Aikman, for each report

A seismic shift may well be going down in the environment of NFL broadcasting.

Troy Aikman, currently the top rated NFL shade commentator for Fox Sports, is deep in negotiations to leave the network to grow to be the guide analyst for ESPN’s “Monday Night time Football,” in accordance to Andrew Marchand of the New York Submit.

The offer will be reportedly be for five a long time, with a income in the community of Tony Romo’s $17.5 million for every 12 months deal with CBS. It is a good time to be a previous Dallas Cowboys setting up quarterback.

Aikman was also reportedly courted by Amazon, which is about to develop into the sole broadcaster, or streamer, of “Thursday Night time Soccer.” Amazon stays in negotiations for another broadcasting no cost agent, Al Michaels of NBC Sports activities. Per Marchand, ESPN could go after Michaels as nicely.

The potential go would conclude a two-10 years tenure at Fox for Aikman, who has been calling games with Joe Buck considering the fact that 2002. It may not be the stop for Aikman’s partnership with Buck, however, as the properly-regarded participate in-by-engage in person has his contract up up coming 12 months.

Who could exchange Troy Aikman at Fox?

Fox does not feel to deficiency for candidates to exchange Aikman. For each Marchand, the network will take into account its No. 2 analyst, former Carolina Panthers restricted conclude Greg Oldsen, and former New Orleans Saints Sean Payton. It could also reportedly trade for Drew Brees, who at the moment works for NBC as a studio analyst.

There is also the probability of Tom Brady, who likely has greater matters to do in his 1st year of retirement. Marchand even mentions the probability of Los Angeles Rams head mentor Sean McVay for the two Fox and Amazon, however that would have to have a stunning retirement at this place.

ESPN would make a splash employ the service of for ‘Monday Evening Football’

The awkward section of ESPN poaching Aikman would be the reality that they by now have a pair of “Monday Evening Football” colour commentators, though neither have the name recognition of Aikman and some other names ESPN has pursued.

Tale carries on

Final time, Brian Griese and Louis Riddick were the most up-to-date occupants of a MNF broadcasting booth that has been anything of a revolving doorway considering that the departure of Mike Tirico in 2016 and Jon Gruden in 2018. For the enjoy-by-participate in function, ESPN has turned to Sean McDonough, Joe Tessitore and, most recently, Steve Levy, with varying results.

The shade situation has been even additional chaotic. ESPN first introduced on Jason Witten, who drew bad evaluations and abruptly finished his retirement to re-sign with the Cowboys, then tried out Booger McFarland as its sole coloration commentator, to even poorer evaluations. At seemingly every juncture, the community went just after Peyton Manning, but was rebuffed up until finally the Corridor of Fame quarterback received his own broadcast with his brother Eli. The ensuing Manningcast was unquestionably a get for ESPN, but left ESPN with a broadcast booth small on identify recognition, but with first rate critiques.

Now, ESPN might not be acquiring Manning in its greatest coloration commentary purpose, but it truly is reportedly on the verge of at last earning that splash seek the services of the community has been eager on for years.