Troy-Aikman-Joe Buck Feud Deepens As Awkward Photo Leaks From ESPN’s ‘Monday Night Football’ Booth

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

The relationship between Joe Buck and Troy Aikman is not improving.

A behind-the-scenes contract feud has strained the 25-year partnership between the Monday Night Football broadcasters. Buck quietly signed a 6-year, $108 million contract extension with ESPN earlier in the fall.

Consequently, Aikman’s 5-year, $90 million deal is set to expire. It will come after ESPN’s first-ever Super Bowl broadcast. As of this writing, ESPN has not actively engaged him in new extension talks.

Aikman felt blindsided and betrayed that Buck negotiated and finalized his massive extension behind the scenes. In doing so, he did it without looping him in or giving him a heads-up. It led to a major argument between them, and things have only gotten worse.

Viral Image Deepens Troy Aikman-Joe Buck Feud Ahead of Super Bowl

Just ahead of the Bears-Seahawks game on Monday Night Football, a fan took a picture of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman in the booth. The image, taken before the Seahawks-Bears game at Lumen Field, shows a noticeable gap between the two in the ESPN booth.

“Aikman hates Buck lol,” the picture said.

In the midst of the feud, Troy Aikman confirmed he will become a free agent at the end of the current NFL season.

Addressing the situation publicly, Aikman verified that there was tension and that he is looking forward to finding his “next landing spot.” The writing clearly appears to be on the wall. Unfortunately, their friendship and partnership will quickly come to an end.