Report: ESPN turns sights to new potential broadcaster partner for Troy Aikman

When the NFL season starts up in the fall, the broadcast booth is going to look a bit different. Troy Aikman, who has been the lead color commentator at Fox for 20 seasons, will be calling games for ESPN and Monday Night Football. The World Wide Leader still has a major spot to fill though, needing a play-by-play announcer to compliment Aikman.

According to the New York Post, Joe Buck is going to be the target for ESPN. It would keep the duo that has been calling some of the NFL’s biggest games for two decades together and replace a booth of Steve Leevy, Brian Griese, and Louis Riddick. Buck would be leaving behind more than just football, as he is currently the voice of baseball for Fox, calling the World Series since 1996, with an exception of two seasons.

If Buck is not able to be persuaded to join ESPN, former NBC Sunday Night Football play-by-play announcer Al Michaels would be the target. It would be the broadcaster’s second stint in the prime time slot, calling Monday Night Football for 20 seasons on ABC.

Aikman’s contract is five years and expected to be at the level of Tony Romo’s deal with CBS, the New York Post reported. Romo makes $17.5 million per year to work alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson. Marchand added the deal isn’t signed, but it’s almost done.

No matter who ESPN decides to pair with Aikman, they will instantly upgrade the Monday Night Football booth. The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback is largely considered on the best in the game, while Buck and Michaels have been at the top of the profession for years.

Sean Peyton being targeted by Fox

Sean Payton’s future is becoming clearer. He might be trading in his visor for a suit.

The former New Orleans Saints coach is in negotiations to join FOX and potentially succeed Troy Aikman as the network’s No. 1 analyst, according to Front Office Sports’ Mike McCarthy. The deal isn’t done yet, and McCarthy added Payton could want upward of $10 million per year given Aikman’s reported five-year, $90 million deal with ESPN.

After Aikman’s departure, former NFL tight end Greg Olsen has also been rumored to move up to replace him. He served as FOX’s No. 2 analyst this past year and is seen as a rising star. But McCarthy added Amazon expressed interest in Olsen for a potential studio role for Thursday Night Football. But given Aikman’s move to ESPN, Amazon might consider the former Carolina Panther to be the analyst for TNF.