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Al Michaels: Daniel Snyder is 'a major problem around the league'
NBC Sunday Night Football announcer Al Michaels speaks on the set during pregame warmups by the Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Al Michaels: Commanders owner Daniel Snyder is 'a major problem around the league'

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports  |  By Larry Brown  |  Last updated 10/13/22

Al Michaels was unafraid to tackle the Daniel Snyder saga on Thursday night, and even added some surprising commentary.

Michaels was calling the “Thursday Night Football” game for Amazon between the Washington Commanders and Chicago Bears. Early in the fourth quarter, the veteran play-by-play announcer discussed the lengthy ESPN report about the investigations Snyder is facing.

Michaels opined that the NFL would leave to see Snyder sell his majority stake in the Commanders.

“The owners have a meeting scheduled in New York on Tuesday. It is not currently on the agenda. Just my feeling, I think what the league would love, is for Snyder to sell the team. Not have to go to a vote, but just sell the team. He’s just become a major problem around the league obviously,” Michaels said.

The league’s other owners can vote Snyder out if 24 of 32 vote for the Washington owner to sell the team. Some may be fearful of voting to oust Snyder because of the concerning precedent it would establish.

What’s surprising is for an NFL announcer to tackle the subject and even offer an opinion. The league has some measure of control over the announcers for its games, so announcers commenting on sensitive league matters like that is tricky; most avoid it.

Either Michaels feels that he’s so established that he wouldn’t be endangering his job by talking about the situation, or he tacitly (or not so tacitly) received approval from high powers to share that opinion about Snyder on a national broadcast.

Despite all the negative attention he’s faced, Snyder is known for being difficult. He will not go down without a big fight.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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