ESPN looked for years to search out an saying voice that was appropriate to guide the Monday Night time Soccer sales space earlier than finally swinging massive to amass Joe Buck and Troy Aikman from Fox in 2022. However that deal additionally meant that Buck’s time calling baseball was successfully over.
That might be altering, although.
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Based on The Athletic, ESPN and Buck reached a six-year, $108 million contract extension this week that may hold him with the community for a number of Tremendous Bowls. It may also imply a return to the MLB sales space because the voice of the World Sequence.
The identical report stated that ESPN plans to make a run on the World Sequence broadcasting rights in 2029. If the community is profitable, Buck could be the individual to name it. Buck labored 24 World Sequence with Fox, however has solely known as one baseball recreation since becoming a member of ESPN (Yankees-Brewers final yr).
By way of The Athletic:
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro is focused on getting the rights to the World Sequence in 2029, in keeping with sources briefed on ESPN’s plans however not permitted to talk publicly. If ESPN had been to swipe all or a part of the World Sequence, Pitaro has instructed Buck he would really like him to name it, the sources stated. No provision in Buck’s new contract ensures that occurs.
With MLB’s present broadcast agreements, ESPN has taken a big step again in its MLB rights. The community did not broadcast the Residence Run Derby for the primary time in a long time. NBC/Peacock now carries Sunday Night time Baseball — a longtime ESPN staple. There additionally will not be any postseason video games on ESPN this yr. Apart from the occasional midweek broadcast and particular occasion video games, ESPN primarily hosts MLB.television on its streaming app.
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If ESPN does get again in MLB postseason protection, it might make a whole lot of sense for Buck to be concerned.
This text initially appeared on For The Win: ESPN reportedly desires Joe Buck to name baseball if it acquires World Sequence rights
