ESPN is facing criticism over its management of the fallout involving former Fox Sports broadcasters Troy Aikman and Joe Buck, with commentators describing the situation as "managed horribly" and "a huge distraction." The scrutiny comes years after the longtime NFL broadcast duo departed Fox for ESPN's Monday Night Football booth.
Aikman and Buck, who called games together for Fox for nearly two decades, were photographed on the field at AT&T Stadium prior to the Dallas Cowboys' game against the Green Bay Packers on October 6, 2019. Their eventual move to ESPN in 2022 marked a significant shift in NFL broadcasting rights.
According to a report by Nidheesh Kumar for Pro Football Network published November 1, 2026, the transition and its aftermath have drawn negative assessments from media observers. The criticism centers on how ESPN has handled the pairing and any subsequent developments involving the high-profile commentary team.
