Legendary play-by-play broadcaster Al Michaels confirmed he’ll return to Thursday Night Football for the 2024 season.
Originally, Michaels told Amazon he’d do three years on the network and 2024 will be Year 3. After that, it’s up in the air if Michaels will re-sign, go to another network or retire.
Michaels, 79, is one of, if not the greatest broadcaster in sports history. He said he felt pretty good after calling the Cleveland Browns’ win over the New York Jets earlier this week.
“I feel good,” Michaels told Mike Freeman of 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.”
A long time primetime voice in the NFL, Michaels was ultimately replaced, which was planned, by Mike Tirico at NBC. That moved Michaels to Amazon on Thursday night’s with college football voice Kirk Herbstreit, who transitioned seamlessly to the NFL.
“I still love this job,” Michaels said. “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.”
Over the last couple of seasons, Michaels was critiqued a little more than usual due to less enthused calls during games, slipping up on names and facts and other small details. Being in primetime and having his experience, it’s easy to point out where Michaels might’ve flubbed a call.
“He hears the noise,” Herbstreit, told Freeman. “I don’t think he’s like, ‘I’ll show them. I’m going to really bring it this week.’ He’s definitely not doing that. He has more of an ‘F you’ attitude about it than ‘I’m going to show them.’ He thinks it’s a bunch of (expletive). I think it’s a bunch of (expletive). And I think it’s just a narrative that social media’s kind of running with.”
At least Michaels took some of the narrative in stride. It could’ve turned ugly for the long time broadcaster.
NBC announced it would not bring Michaels back on board for the NFL playoffs this year. Since the network carries multiple games, Michaels was put in the booth with Tony Dungy for the Los Angeles Chargers-Jacksonville Jaguars Wild Card Game last year. That was secondary to Tirico and Cris Collinsworth’s assignment.
The Big Ten on NBC team of Noah Eagle and Todd Blackledge will take command of the other playoff game broadcasted by NBC instead.
But at least in 2024, Michaels will be back in what could be his final season. But as he’s proven, he certainly has longevity.
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