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‘I’m Disappointed in Troy Aikman’: Charles Barkley Calls Out Cowboys Legend for Dragging Joe Buck Into ESPN Dispute

When it comes to ESPN’s Monday Night Football, Troy Aikman’s name always follows Joe Buck’s and vice versa. The duo has shared an NFL broadcast booth for 25 seasons.

Yardbarker

Published: Thursday, 22 October 2026 at 4:09 AM

Key Things to Know

Charles Barkley criticized Troy Aikman for involving broadcast partner Joe Buck in his contract negotiations with ESPN.
Joe Buck reportedly signed a six-year, $108 million extension with ESPN through 2031 without informing Troy Aikman.
Tensions between Aikman and Buck reportedly nearly became physical off air before a game at SoFi Stadium.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Charles Barkley criticized Troy Aikman for directing frustration toward his longtime broadcast partner Joe Buck amid Aikman's contract dispute with ESPN. Speaking on the 97.5 The Fanatic podcast, Barkley argued that Buck had no control over Aikman's contract and should not be blamed for securing his own extension. The comments follow reports of escalating tensions between the two announcers before a recent Los Angeles Rams game at SoFi Stadium.

Tensions reportedly emerged after Buck signed a six-year extension worth approximately $108 million through 2031 without informing Aikman, according to reporting cited from Puck and The Athletic. Aikman's current five-year, $90 million contract is concluding, and negotiations with ESPN and Disney have reportedly reached a standstill after his representatives sought an annual salary around $30 million.

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