Al Michaels & Kirk Herbstreit Make Amazon Thursday Night Football Debut

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Josh Wiesel | Last updated 8/26/22

In an announcer offseason that saw big names switch companies, Amazon put their show on the road for the first time. Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit, who lead the new Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime booth, made their anticipated debuts for the preseason between the San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston.

Al Michaels (pbp) with @KirkHerbstreit (analyst) on debut of Amazon Prime Video Thursday Night Football package #NFL #TNF #ThursdayNightFootball pic.twitter.com/L4azcSWJjb

— Announcer Schedules (@announcerskeds) August 26, 2022

Money Moves:

Amazon is tying a lot into their two lead men, as seen by the lucrative contracts. Herbstreit is reportedly making around $10+ million a year. Herbsteit also will be staying with ESPN as he signed a three year extension with the network. The 77-year-old Michaels contract details report it was a 3-year deal paid similar to now ESPN’s Joe Buck who received a 5-year-$75 million contract from ESPN. Michaels shifts over to Amazon after being the voice of NBC’s Sunday Night Football for 16 years. Amazon is motivated to be a force in the NFL world, signing a deal with DirectTV to show games in bars, restaurants, and other public areas.

Herstreit (53) will call Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime throughout the season, while continuing to be ESPN’s top college football analyst. “I don’t know how he’s going to pull it off, but if anybody can do it, he can do it.” Herbsreits Cohost Al Michaels said earlier in the week when asked about it.

Amazon’s 11-year NFL contract:

Amazon is paying the NFL about $1 BILLION per year for the exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football via Prime Video.

The 11-year deal includes 15 regular season games and one preseason game per year.

(via CNBC) #TNFonPrime

— Mark J. Burns (@markjburns88) August 26, 2022

Rave Reviews:

Despite never calling a game together, fans pointed out the chemistry Michaels and Herbstreit had from the beginning:

Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit sound good together. That booth is going to work well. #TNF

— Jake Asman (@JakeAsman) August 26, 2022

Halfway through the first quarter, it's kind of crazy that this is the first game Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit have called together. They sound like they've been partners for 20 years. No awkward silence, no stepping on each other, no cheesy banter.

— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) August 26, 2022

Amazon Prime's NFL coverage so far…

Pregame: A
Score bug: A+
Broadcast team: A+

It actually feels like Amazon and not just another TNF game from NFLN with Fox/CBS/NBC.

— Andrew Hammond (@ahammFreePress) August 26, 2022

Not even a full quarter in, but Amazon has killed it already. Al Michaels brings instant credibility. Kirk Herbstreit has earned everyone's respect (CFB & NFL fans). The graphics package is sharp. It feels like an NBC SNF broadcast; fits like a glove.

— Matthew Owens (@MatthewOwensPxP) August 26, 2022

Nice chemistry between Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit. Even though this is their first game together, it sounds like they have been together for several seasons.

— Ken Fang — Get your shots!!!! (@fangsbites) August 26, 2022

Andrew Marchard of the New York Post also noted the credibility guys like Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit bring to an Amazon network that is trying to become a mainstay:

It feels important and credible with Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit.

— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) August 26, 2022

Bottom Line:

Amazon Primes first Thursday Night Football broadcast with their new team was a success. Although Michaels and Herbstreit have no previous experience together in the booth, they bring a familiarity and comfortability to the audience. Amazon is investing a lot of resources and wants to be a mover in the NFL space. There will be things to tinker with along the way, as Kevin Skiver of Sporting News points out. Ultimately, the response was mainly positive and Amazon should feel good how things turned out.

Fox Sports Charissa Thompson hosts the Thursday Night pregame show alongside analysts Richard Sherman, Tony Gonzalez, and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Andrew Whitworth, Michael Smith, and Taylor Rooks will also be contributing members. Kaylee Hartung rounds out the Thursday night crew as the sideline reporter.