Troy Aikman gets the Tom Brady treatment after taking Dolphins position originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Troy Aikman will face additional restrictions while preparing for ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” broadcasts this season because of his consulting role with the Miami Dolphins, an NFL spokesman told Front Office Sports.
Aikman, who joined the Dolphins as a consultant earlier this year, will operate under the same guidelines the NFL has placed on Fox analyst Tom Brady because of Brady’s minority ownership stake in the Las Vegas Raiders.
Under the restrictions, Aikman will not be permitted to attend practices at team facilities. The Hall of Fame quarterback also must participate remotely in production meetings, where television broadcast crews traditionally meet with head coaches, coordinators and key players before games.
Those meetings can provide broadcasters with valuable insight into game plans, personnel decisions and other information that helps shape the telecast.
Aikman’s Dolphins connection forces major change to his ESPN routine
The restrictions are designed to address potential conflicts stemming from Aikman’s connection to Miami while allowing him to continue working alongside Joe Buck on ESPN’s signature NFL broadcast.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told Front Office Sports that the league has not experienced problems with Brady operating under similar restrictions during his first two seasons as a broadcaster with an ownership stake.
“There have been no issues with Tom over the last two seasons,” McCarthy said. “It is up to the coaches and clubs what they share with him. If they share information they shouldn’t, then that’s on them.”
McCarthy added that the same rules governing Brady will now apply to Aikman.
“The same parameters that pertained to Tom last season will continue this year and also will apply to Troy,” McCarthy said.
Aikman’s Dolphins role adds another layer to his extensive football résumé. The three-time Super Bowl champion and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback has become one of television’s most recognizable NFL analysts since transitioning into broadcasting.
Now, Aikman will have to balance those responsibilities with his work for Miami.
While the restrictions will change how Aikman prepares for broadcasts, they won’t keep him out of the booth. Instead, ESPN’s longtime analyst will enter the season working under carefully defined boundaries as his dual NFL roles receive increased scrutiny.
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