Tag: Al Michaels

Dec 21, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Thursday Night Football Amazon Prime play-by-play announcer Al Michaels during the game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Report: Al Michaels, 80, expected to return to Amazon in ’25

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Broadcaster Al Michaels will return for another season in Amazon Prime Video’s NFL booth, The Athletic reported Wednesday.

Michaels, 80, currently is in the final season of a three-year deal that reportedly pays him about $15 million per season.

Prime Video hosts the NFL’s Thursday night games, in addition to last month’s Black Friday game, and will stream its first playoff game this season.

According to the report, the plan is for Michaels and Amazon to go year-by-year with his contract from this point forward. The “Miracle on Ice” sportscaster has said that he will know when it is time to retire.

Michaels was the play-by-play voice for ABC’s “Monday Night Football” from 1986-2005 and NBC Sports’ “Sunday Night Football” from 2006-21.

–Field Level Media

Dec 21, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Thursday Night Football Amazon Prime play-by-play announcer Al Michaels during the game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Al Michaels confirms return for 2024 TNF games with Amazon

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Al Michaels said he plans to return to the broadcast booth for the 2024 NFL season.

Michaels, 79, told USA Today that he plans to honor his three-year contract with Amazon.

“I feel good,” Michaels told USA Today. “I feel healthy. I feel fine. I told Amazon that I’d do three years and next year will be three, and I’m definitely doing it. We’ll see after that.

“I still love this job. I still get a charge out of going into a stadium and watching the best in the world do what they do. I’m still really happy so that’s the big thing.”

Michaels reportedly earns $1 million per game in an agreement with Amazon that affords him the opportunity to accept assignments from NBC in his “emeritus” label granted when he left at the end of his last contract in 2022.

He did not comment on NBC’s decision to remove him from its NFL playoff coverage.

Michaels has been the voice of primetime NFL coverage since 1986, first on “Monday Night Football” until he took the “Sunday Night Football” job alongside John Madden in 2006. He worked in the SNF role until the end of the 2021 season.

He currently calls Thursday night games streamed on Amazon Prime Video with analyst Kirk Herbstreit.

“Amazon has been really great to me and I’m appreciative that I’ve been a part of helping them grow their NFL presence,” Michaels said.

–Field Level Media

Longtime voice of primetime NFL games Al Michaels is not part of NBC's postseason plans.

NBC passes on Al Michaels, 26-year-old Noah Eagle gets playoff play-by-play gig

Posted on | by Field Level Media

NBC plans to use 26-year-old Noah Eagle as the play-by-play voice for its No. 2 NFL playoff broadcast crew in January, passing on venerable voice Al Michaels.

NBC “Sunday Night Football” tandem Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth have the call of the network’s primary playoff broadcast next month, but NBC declined to bring back Michaels for the second game. Instead, the college football broadcast team of Eagle and Todd Blackledge with sideline reporter Kathryn Tappen was assigned the No. 2 game.

Michaels, 79, reportedly earns $1 million per game in an agreement with Amazon that affords him the opportunity to accept assignments from NBC in his “emeritus” label granted when he left at the end of his last contract in 2022.

Michaels and Tony Dungy called the AFC wild-card game in Jacksonville last year, when the Jaguars rallied from a 27-point deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers.

Eagle is the son of Ian Eagle, an established play-by-play announcer for CBS, TBS and TNT, working college basketball, NBA and NFL games. Noah Eagle replaced Ian Eagle on YES Network NBA broadcasts this season.

Noah Eagle, Blackledge and Tappen are also assigned to the NBC regular-season broadcast of Steelers-Bengals on Dec. 23 and the Nickelodeon kid-focused broadcast of Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11.

Michaels has been the voice of primetime NFL coverage since 1986, first on “Monday Night Football” until he took the “Sunday Night Football” job alongside John Madden in 2006. He worked in the SNF role until the end of the 2021 season.

He currently calls Thursday night games streamed on Amazon Prime Video with analyst Kirk Herbstreit.

–Field Level Media

Aug 26, 2018; Arlington, TX, USA; Network television commentator Al Michaels before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Al Michaels to call one playoff game for NBC as ‘emeritus’ contributor

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Al Michaels and NBC Sports have reached an agreement that will keep Michaels on in an “emeritus role” going forward.

NBC announced the deal Tuesday, saying Michaels will continue to contribute to the network’s coverage of the NFL playoffs and the Olympics.

Michaels, 77, anchored NBC Sports’ “Sunday Night Football” broadcast team beginning in 2006, and his contract expired following the Super Bowl in February. NBC opted to promote Mike Tirico to the primary play-by-play announcer of “Sunday Night Football” alongside color commentator Cris Collinsworth.

Michaels, meanwhile, signed with Amazon to be the play-by-play voice of the company’s new “Thursday Night Football” broadcasts beginning next season.

Reports said Michaels will call one of NBC’s three playoff games next year with a partner yet to be named. Tirico and Collinsworth will handle the other games.

“I’m looking forward to continuing my longtime NBC relationship while also launching the Thursday Night Football package on Amazon this fallk,” Michaels said in a press release.

Michaels matched Pat Summerall by calling his 11th Super Bowl in February.

At Amazon, he will partner with ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit on “Thursday Night Football” broadcasts. Herbstreit will continue in his role as ESPN’s lead college football commentator.

–Field Level Media

Aug 26, 2018; Arlington, TX, USA; Network television commentator Al Michaels before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Amazon announces ‘TNF’ booth of Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Amazon made it official Wednesday, naming Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit as the broadcast team for “Thursday Night Football” beginning in 2022.

They will make their debut on Sept. 15.

Amazon also announced that it hired longtime executive producer Fred Gaudelli to lead “TNF.”

Terms were not released by the tech giant. However, Michaels is expected to earn close to what Joe Buck just signed on for to call “Monday Night Football” on ESPN. Buck inked a five-year, $75 million deal.

“Over the last 36 seasons, I’ve been at the mic describing some of the most magical moments and games in NFL history and am looking forward to many more,” said Michaels in a statement. “This is the new frontier in sports television and to be a part of the launch at this point in my career is both exciting and stimulating. The NFL is the king of unscripted television and I’m looking forward to joining Kirk to bring fans more dramatic episodes on Thursday nights this fall.”

Herbstreit, 52, had himself a good day Wednesday. Not to be outdone by Amazon’s announcement, Herbstreit also signed a five-year extension with ESPN.

Herbstreit will continue in his role on ESPN’s “College GameDay” and as lead college football announcer. He reportedly has a contract in the eight figures with Amazon.

Gaudelli, a 24-time Emmy winner, has produced NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” broadcast and will “continue on NBC Sports’ executive team and will serve as a key contributor to NBC Sunday Night Football’s editorial and production efforts,” Amazon said.

Amazon paid billions to get the Thursday night package for the next 11 years. Its deal includes 15 regular-season games and one preseason game per year.

–Field Level Media

Aug 26, 2018; Arlington, TX, USA; Network television commentator Al Michaels before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit to call ‘TNF’ for Amazon

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Al Michaels has signed a three-year deal with Amazon to be the tech giant’s play-by-play announcer for “Thursday Night Football,” the New York Post reported Monday.

His sidekick in the booth will be longtime ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit, per the report.

A formal announcement is expected this week.

Michaels, 77, is expected to earn close to what Joe Buck just signed on for to call “Monday Night Football” on ESPN. Buck inked a five-year, $75 million deal.

Herbstreit, 52, who will continue in his role on ESPN’s “College GameDay” and lead college football announcer, will have a contract in the eight figures, per the report.

Mike Tirico takes over as NBC’s permanent play-by-play announcer for the network’s Sunday night NFL telecast with Cris Collinsworth. Michaels will still do a game or two for NBC, especially in the postseason, per the Post report.

Amazon paid billions to get the Thursday night package for the next 11 years.

–Field Level Media

Aug 26, 2018; Arlington, TX, USA; Network television commentator Al Michaels before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

NBC’s Michaels benched Sunday due to COVID-19 issues

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Broadcaster Al Michaels will not participate in NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” telecast out of COVID-19 concerns.

The network said in a statement issued Friday that Michaels had “not been cleared to work this weekend’s game in accordance with NBCUniversal COVID-19 safety protocols.”

Mike Tirico will stand in for Michaels and call the game between the Cleveland Browns (9-4) and New York Giants (5-8) from MetLife Stadium with Cris Collinsworth in the booth and Michele Tafoya on the sidelines.

NBC didn’t say whether Michaels, 76, tested positive for the virus or if he had close contact with someone who did.

“I feel great, I have no symptoms, and my temperature this morning was 97.5,” Michaels said in a statement issued by NBC Sports. “I look forward to returning to the booth as soon as possible.”

Michaels is in his 15th season as the voice of “Sunday Night Football” and in his 35th year as an NFL play-by-play announcer in primetime.

Earlier this month, he was named the recipient of the 2021 Ford C. Frick Award for excellence in broadcasting by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. He is one of five broadcasters to be recognized with both the baseball honor and the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Pete Rozelle Award, joining Jack Buck, Dick Enberg, Curt Gowdy and Lindsey Nelson.

–Field Level Media