Troy Aikman to keynote SPECS 2025
A legendary football icon and successful business entrepreneur will deliver the opening keynote at Chain Store Age’s annual SPECS Show, March 9–11, at the Gaylord Texan, Grapevine, Texas.
Aikman in 1992 led the National Football League’s Dallas Cowboys to their first Super Bowl title in over a decade. His performance also earned him the title of Most Valuable Player for Super Bowl 27. During his 12-year tenure with the Cowboys, Aikman led the team to three Super Bowl victories.
Aikman was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006 alongside an iconic class, including professional football coach and NFL commentator John Madden. In 2008, he was also inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
After retiring in 2000, Aikman spent two decades as FOX’s lead NFL analyst before joining Monday Night Football in 2021. He and his television partner, play- by-play announcer Joe Buck, are the longest-tenured paired announcers in NFL history. Aikman has broadcasted six Super Bowls to date, with a seventh on the horizon in 2027.
Open to new sports endeavors, in 2005 he became co-owner of the NASCAR series team alongside fellow former Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach. He was also part owner of the San Diego Padres.
Further expanding his business portfolio, Aikman has owned car dealerships across the state of Texas. In 2022, he founded EIGHT Brewing Company, with the brand currently available in Texas and Oklahoma. The launch of the brand’s EIGHT Elite Light Lager in 2023 took the category by storm, being named Texas’ fastest independent beer brand launch, and becoming one of the year’s top 10 growth brands.
Aikman will share his journey from football hero to business leader — including his brewing company’s upcoming growth plans — during his keynote at SPECS on Monday, March 10!
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