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WATCH: Troy Aikman reveals surprising details about leaving Fox Sports

Barkley-Truaxby: Barkley Truax03/21/22BarkleyTruax
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(Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

Troy Aikman has departed Fox and will now serve as one of ESPN’s main analyst for Monday Night Football, but there seemed to be some bad blood between Aikman and Fox on the way out. Aikman joined Sports Illustrated for an interview about the move.

“I don’t know the answer to that, I don’t know that I will ever get the answer to that. I had a great 21 years at Fox. I guess what’s perplexing to me is that I had no conversation with my boss until he called me to congratulate me on my contract with ESPN,” Aikman said.

His contract is five years and expected to be at the level of Tony Romo’s deal with CBS, Marchand reported. Romo makes $17.5 million per year to work alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson. Marchand added the deal isn’t signed, but it’s almost done.

Aikman worked for FOX since 2001 and worked largely alongside Joe Buck during that time and last week, Buck reunited with Aikman, signing his own deal with ESPN to continue his work in the booth with his longtime partner.

Aikman expressed his disappointment in Fox’s upper-management for not at least having a conversation on the way out. It wasn’t until his boss called him after reports came out that Aikman has signed with ESPN to congratulate him on his new gig. Aikman said he asked for an explanation as to why he was left in the dark — his boss opted not to address that with him.

“So I guess that’s where it’s left. That’s how I’ll leave Fox and, and that’s fine. I’m excited about ESPN and thrilled to be continuing to work with Joe [Buck],” Aikman said.

While the official NFL schedule has not yet been released, where Aikman and Buck will be making their debuts is unknown. However, after thinking the two could be apart for the first time, ESPN will instead have one of the best duos in the broadcasting industry.