Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman has continued to reveal more about his new role with the Miami Dolphins. Meanwhile, the NFL has continued to have nothing to say on the matter.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, who has been critical of the potential conflict of interest the league could have with Aikman broadcasting for ESPN and consulting for the Dolphins, reported Monday the NFL declined comment on Aikman’s latest interview.
“The league previously has said it will address the situation ‘at the appropriate time,'” wrote Florio.
“In response to Aikman’s latest comments, the NFL has declined comment.”
In those latest comments, the former Cowboys quarterback did little to suggest he won’t have a conflict of interest when announcing Monday Night Football and providing other analysis for ESPN this season.
“I will say I’m pulling for the Dolphins,” Aikman told Clarence Hill of DLLS Sports on March 31. “Because now I have something at stake, and I think they hired two really talented, wonderful people, and I think that’s gonna prove itself out.
“Yeah, I’m pulling for them. I want to see them do well because I feel like my fingerprints are on it as well.”
The Dolphins hired the longtime broadcaster and Hall of Fame signal-caller as a consultant in January. Since then, multiple reporters indicated Aikman had a significant role in Miami’s offseason hiring process.
This offseason, the Dolphins hired both general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley.
Troy Aikman Shares Alarming Comments on Dolphins Role
Florio began addressing the potential problems with Aikman’s two roles around the league in the middle of March.
The NFL insider explained that Aikman isn’t doing anything different from Tom Brady. The former New England Patriots quarterback broadcasts NFL games for FOX Sports and has a significant role as a minority owner with the Las Vegas Raiders.
But Brady set a dangerous precedence that Aikman is now taking advantage of, according to Florio.
“There was a time when a plan like that would have raised eyebrows — especially if/when Aikman’s primary job on Monday Night Football includes a Dolphins game. But with Tom Brady’s dual role as Fox broadcaster and Raiders minority owner normalizing conflicts of interest that previously wouldn’t have been allowed, well, when in Rome,” wrote Florio.
“Still, Brady has limitations on his ability to enter facilities and attend practices. Whether those same rules will apply to Aikman isn’t known.”
Few would be shocked if Brady isn’t objective about the Raiders on FOX. But other than admitting he wasn’t pulling for the Patriots in the Super Bowl, Brady hasn’t shared his rooting interest publicly.
Aikman admitted in his last podcast appearance he won’t be objective on Miami this fall. He also shared how the Dolphins could have an advantage because of his broadcasting job.
“I think the Dolphins were wise in understanding my relationships around the league and knowing that I have information that they don’t have or can’t get,” Aikman said. “I think they were smart in taking advantage of that, whether it was through me or somebody else. The Cowboys have never elected to do that, at least with me.”
NFL Silent on Potential Issue Cowboys, Other Teams Could Have With Aikman’s Dolphins Job
Pundits rightfully saw Aikman’s comments as shade toward the Cowboys. It would make more sense for the quarterback to work for the franchise where he won three Super Bowls.
But Aikman made clear the Cowboys have never expressed interest in hiring him as a consultant.
Still, that’s not the biggest takeaway from the ESPN commentator’s latest public appearance.
While addressing his Dolphins role on DLLS Sports, Aikman concluded that he won’t have a conflict of interest. But by saying he will be “pulling for the Dolphins,” he clearly does.
This is a can of worms for the league. How the NFL confronts it could be a significant storyline going forward.
The league set itself up for this when it allowed Brady the freedoms of broadcasting and serving as an owner. More former players who are broadcasters could follow a similar path if the NFL doesn’t install more restrictive policies.
NFL Silent After Troy Aikman Puts League on Notice Again With Dolphins Role: Report