Al Michaels leaves NBC to take on Amazon's Thursday Night Football role
- Al Michaels, aged 80, inked a deal with Amazon Prime to cover Thursday Night Football games alongside Kirk Herbstreit.
- Discussions indicate that both Michaels and Amazon expect him to return for another season after his contract expires.
- Despite some criticism of his performances, Michaels remains a valuable asset for Amazon's sports broadcasting.
In December 2024, Al Michaels, the celebrated NFL commentator, continues to extend his storied broadcasting career with Amazon Prime Video, covering Thursday Night Football (TNF) games. At 80 years old, Michaels, who previously spent 15 years with NBC, signed a new contract with Amazon to team up with Kirk Herbstreit, an ESPN college football analyst. Although speculation surrounded his retirement, discussions revealed that both Michaels and Amazon expect him to return for another season after this one concludes. Michaels' current contract is part of a three-year deal that approximates the $15 million per season contract held by ESPN's Joe Buck. His original contract is nearing its end, but Andrew Marchand from The Athletic indicated that Michaels' future remains optimistic, suggesting that there is mutual interest in continuing their partnership. Despite facing criticism regarding his performance and accusations of seeming disinterested, Amazon believes Michaels still holds value for their broadcasts. This season is pivotal as it also marks a significant change for Amazon Prime, wanting to solidify their presence in NFL broadcasting. The platform will feature an opening round playoff game this year, which Michaels and Herbstreit are set to call together. While he was absent from NFL postseason coverage the previous season, the arrangement empowers him to remain a prominent voice in upcoming NFL playoff games. Amazon has already secured rights to broadcast one of the postseason games for 2025. Michaels, who possesses an extensive background in sports commentary—including calling 11 Super Bowls—demonstrates the blend of tradition and innovation that the NFL seeks to embody as it evolves in the digital age. The legacy of events and performances he's contributed to has solidified his status as a legendary figure in sports broadcasting, implying that his expertise will continue to engage football fans as he navigates the next steps of his career. The journey ahead appears to signal that Al Michaels still has much to offer to viewers captivated by the NFL's prime-time action.