Troy Aikman’s contract with ESPN expires after the 2026 season, ending the network’s first Super Bowl with four letters. Without an extension, which Aikman currently does not expect, he will be a broadcasting free agent.
His estranged relationship with the Dolphins casts doubt on Aikman’s future in TV.
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By Mark Maske of Sports in the Front OfficeAikman does not have a “formal and ongoing agreement” to serve as a consultant to the Dolphins. This means that he works for the team on a one-to-one basis, and that he (or the team) can terminate the relationship at any time.
It may be in Aikman’s best interest to end the relationship with the Dolphins now. If ESPN (or CBS or Prime Video) is going to pay $20 million or more for its top NFL analyst gig, why would any of them hire someone who has both restrictions on his access and a cloud over his objectivity, thanks to having an employment relationship with one of its teams.
Last month, Aikman “called bullshit” on the idea that other reporters don’t have conflicts of interest. That misses the point. Aikman is working with the Dolphins. That relationship prevents him from entering team facilities or attending practices — and it creates avoidable complications when it comes to games involving the team that works for him.
When ESPN’s Jason Kelce refers to the Eagles as “us,” it’s because he once played for the team. (And ESPN is trying to knock him out of it.) When Aikman talks about the Dolphins, “we” is technically accurate; he works for the team.
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For networks with options, why would any network choose someone who works on one of the teams? Beyond Tom Brady (who owns a piece of the Raiders and has an even more obvious conflict of interest, even if Fox doesn’t care), none of the other candidates for the NFL’s biggest broadcasting jobs carry such baggage with them.
As for Aikman, it’s clearly the right decision if he hopes to land another high-profile job in broadcasting. He should end his relationship with the Dolphins as soon as possible.