Joe Buck, Troy Aikman Officially Join ESPN as New 'Monday Night Football' Booth

Joe Buck and Troy Aikman have officially made the move from Fox Sports to ESPN. 

In a press release from ESPN director of communications Derek Volner, the network announced Wednesday that Buck and Aikman have signed contracts to call Monday Night Football and produce content for ESPN+. 

Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN and sports content chairman, issued a statement in the release about the additions of Buck and Aikman: 

"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."

Rumors of Buck and Aikman departing Fox for ESPN have been persistent for some time. 

Andrew Marchand of the New York Post reported last month that Aikman was expected to sign a five-year deal with ESPN that will pay him around the $17.5 million per year that Tony Romo makes on his contract with CBS. 

Buck still had one year remaining on his deal with Fox, but Marchand reported last week that the network granted him permission to speak with ESPN after failing to agree to terms on a new contract. 

As compensation for allowing Buck out of his deal early, Marchand noted Fox essentially traded the 52-year-old broadcaster for the rights to select one Big Ten football game early in the 2022 season, with both networks already airing games based on a "drafting system." 

Per Bryan Fischer of Athlon Sports, Fox will likely take the Notre Dame-Ohio State game scheduled for Sept. 3. 

According to Marchand, Buck's deal with ESPN is expected to be for five years in the $60-75 million range. 

In addition to Buck and Aikman in the broadcast booth, Lisa Salters will remain the sideline reporter for Monday Night Football. 

ESPN has been going through a revolving door of broadcasters in recent years as it tries to find the right crew for its most valuable property. Steve Levy, Brian Griese and Louis Riddick handled broadcast duties for the past two seasons. 

The network has rights to 22 games for the 2022 season, including three weeks with multiple games. 

As part of the Walt Disney Company's new television contract with the NFL that goes into effect in 2023, ABC will be back in the rotation for a Super Bowl starting with the 2026 season. 

Buck and Aikman have been the No. 1 broadcast crew for Fox's NFL coverage since 2002. They have been on the call for six Super Bowls, most recently in 2020 between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs.