ESPN Network announced on Wednesday that they have signed announcers Joe Buck and Troy Aikman to multi-year agreements, bringing the veteran duo to Monday Night Football starting in September. The veteran duo previously worked for Fox, but announced in February that they were leaving the network. Aikman and Buck will replace last year’s Monday Night Football broadcasters Steve Levy, Brian Griese and Louis Riddick.
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a news release: “When you have the opportunity to bring in the iconic, longest-running NFL broadcasting duo, you take it, especially at a time when we are on the cusp of a new era in our expanding relationship with the NFL. The NFL continues to ascend, and we now have more games than ever before, providing additional opportunities for Joe, Troy and our deep roster of commentators.” According to ESPN, Aikman and Buck also will contribute content for ESPN+.
Said Aikman: “The opportunity to be a voice on Monday Night Football, adding to its legacy and being a part of the future of the NFL on ESPN, has me motivated and reflective. As a kid in California, the voices of Frank Gifford, Howard Cosell, and my mom’s personal favorite, Don Meredith, echoed throughout our living room each week. Joe and I are humbled to be part of that same tradition that has existed for more than 50 years across generations of football fans. I am looking forward to the next several years with ESPN and all our new teammates.”
Buck added: “Everything about Monday Night Football, including the broadcast, set the standard for the modern NFL experience. My earliest memories of walking around football stadiums are tagging along with my dad as he called Monday Night Football on radio. To return to the stadium on Monday nights with Troy — who I have the utmost comfort with and confidence in — and begin a new chapter, for us and ESPN, has me excited about this season and our future.”
Aikman and Buck will make their Monday Night Football debut on Sept. 12, working together for their 21st season. They first teamed up in 2002, along with analyst Cris Collinsworth. Aikman and Buck starting working as duo in 2005, and to date have called more than 275 regular-season games and more than 40 playoff games, as well as serving as broadcasters for six Super Bowls.
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