Home · Sports · Sep 17 archive

Joe Buck Lands $100M+ Contract to Continue Monday Night Football Calls

Confirmed

Sports Desk

In Short: Joe Buck has agreed to a six-year extension with ESPN, securing a $108 million deal to remain the play-by-play voice of Monday Night Football.

Joe Buck has signed a six-year, $108 million contract extension with ESPN, ensuring his continued role as the play-by-play voice of Monday Night Football through the 2030 NFL season. According to reports, Buck's new deal includes an average annual salary of $18 million, placing him among the top three NFL broadcasters in terms of compensation. This move reunites Buck with longtime partner Troy Aikman, who joined ESPN on a five-year, $90 million deal shortly before Buck's extension.

The contract, which was confirmed by The Athletic's Andrew Marchand, comes as ESPN prepares for the 2026-27 NBA regular season broadcast schedule, continuing the network's rich tradition of high-profile sports coverage. Buck's deal, which ties him to ESPN through the 2030 NFL season, will also secure his presence for ESPN's two Super Bowls during that period.

The Week 1 matchup between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football delivered an impressive audience of 23.2 million viewers, making it the most-watched Week 1 game in ESPN's Monday Night Football era. This success underscores the importance of high-profile matchups in driving viewership and highlights the value of Buck's continued presence on the network.

Buck's career transition from Fox to ESPN in 2022 marked a significant shift in the NFL broadcasting landscape. His 27 years at Fox, where he covered both NFL and MLB games, provided him with a wealth of experience that has now been leveraged to enhance ESPN's coverage. With Buck's deal in place, the focus now turns to Troy Aikman's future, as his current contract is set to expire in 2027.

What's confirmed

What's still developing

Sources