“TNF” commentator signs new contract with Amazon

When Amazon Prime acquired the exclusive rights to broadcast the NFL’s “Thursday Night Football” games starting in the 2022 season, the company had to build an entire on-air crew from the ground up. Of course, the multi-trillion dollar giant has its sights set on some big fish to fill its pregame show, courtside and booth roles.

It achieved one of its most significant goals by signing play-by-play announcer Al Michaels to a deal.

Michaels, then 77, was considered to be at the end of his career, but had one of the most impressive resumes in the history of broadcasting. The play-by-play voice had anchored games from all major networks (ABC, NBC and CBS) during his 50-plus year sportscasting career and had experience hosting Super Bowls, World Series games, the Kentucky Derby, etc. Miracle on Ice” and much more.

Michaels’ experience made him a natural target for Amazon as the network needed to build its credibility in the sports broadcasting space. They got him on a three-year contract and things worked out well for both sides.

How well? It appears that Amazon and Michaels are ready to continue their relationship well into the future, even as the multi-sport Hall of Famer turns octogenarian.

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Here’s what you should know about Michaels’ contract, his age and how he ended up on Amazon.

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Al Michaels contract details

Michaels is expected to return to the “Thursday Night Football” booth with Amazon Prime in 2025, The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reports. The plan is to evaluate their relationship from year to year.

Michaels’ original deal with Amazon was a three-year deal signed during the 2022 NFL offseason, shortly before the streaming giant acquired exclusive broadcast rights to “TNF.” Amazon brought in Michaels after NBC let his contract expire, making him a free agent and signing him to a contract that paid him “approximately” $15 million per year, according to Marchand. That’s comparable to the salary ESPN paid Joe Buck when they signed him away from Fox Sports.

The financial terms of Michaels’ new deal with Amazon have not yet been disclosed.

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How old is Al Michaels?

Michaels is 80 years old and just celebrated his birthday on November 12, 2024. Therefore, it’s easy to understand why he would want to evaluate his employment from year to year.

Why did Al Michaels leave Sunday Night Football?

Michaels spent the 2006-2021 NFL season working as the main play-by-play man on NBC’s “Sunday Night Football.” He left the station after the 2021 regular season (and 2022 postseason) after his contract expired.

NBC wasn’t interested in keeping Michaels in 2022 and beyond. The network had hired ESPN’s Mike Tirico as Michaels’ eventual successor in 2016 and planned to move him to the No. 1 play-by-play role when Michaels’ contract expired.

So NBC let Michaels run. However, they signed him to a contract to make him an “NBC Emeritus,” allowing him to contribute to the network despite his Amazon affiliation.

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“TNF” commentator signs new contract with Amazon

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