Discussion about big money is a constant fixture in the NFL.
Huge player contracts are being debated while the value of Super Bowl ads can make jaws drop.
Staying on this train of thought, television analyst Troy Aikman will reportedly make $17.5 million annually when he makes the move from the FOX Sports booth to ESPN.
It’s big money considering that Tony Romo is earning a comparable amount to do the same thing for CBS.
Likewise, Aikman earned around $55 million throughout his NFL career.
But despite the big payday the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback is set to get, NBC Sports analyst Warren Sharp is still arguing that Aikman’s salary is chump change.
some context on Troy Aikman rumored ~$17.5M/yr:
ESPN just paid $2,600,000,000 PER YEAR to broadcast MNF
landing their preferred commentator at less than $20M/yr is peanuts compared to how they value MNF
frankly, for what football brings in, most NFL commentators are underpaid https://t.co/Zfv0fd66Kv
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) February 24, 2022
Commenting on Andrew Marchand’s tweet, Sharp said, “ESPN just paid $2,600,000,000 PER YEAR to broadcast MNF. Landing their preferred commentator at less than $20M/yr is peanuts compared to how they value MNF. Frankly, for what football brings in, most NFL commentators are underpaid.”
That said, will we see free agency drama among NFL broadcasters as well?
Sharp Has A Point
It would be interesting to see the breakdown of ESPN’s valuation for Monday Night Football.
But even without it, $20 million out of $2.6 billion is still a small share.
Besides, Aikman has been one of the better analysts on television.
He may have had some controversial statements once in a while, but his dissecting of the game has been spot on.
Having him in the booth may help increase the show’s ratings because viewers tune in to sportscasters they enjoy.
That’s the reason the alternate MNF broadcast by the Manning brothers is gaining a huge audience every week.
A personality like Aikman will attract football fans to tune in to the game.
Therefore, he deserves getting an annual salary close to what Sharp suggested.
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