Report: Tom Brady's Fox salary complicating Troy Aikman's ESPN contract talks

ESPN and Troy Aikman are reportedly struggling to agree on a new deal, with Tom Brady's $37.5 million-a-year Fox contract resetting the analyst market.

Troy Aikman's contract extension with ESPN has hit a delay, and Tom Brady's broadcasting deal may be the reason why, according to Front Office Sports.

Aikman signed a five-year agreement with ESPN in 2022 worth $18 million per year. That deal runs through 2027, after which he would be free to consider offers from other networks.

Brady subsequently signed a 10-year deal with Fox Sports reportedly worth $37.5 million annually, a figure that reset the market for game analysts. Front Office Sports reported that Aikman and ESPN have so far failed to find a salary figure between his current pay and Brady's benchmark.

Joe Buck, Aikman's broadcast partner, has already agreed to a six-year, $108 million extension with the network. If Aikman and ESPN cannot close the gap, he could field offers from rival networks when his current deal expires.