Report: Legendary NFL broadcaster inks mega-deal with Amazon, Thursday Night Football
The mega-deals continue for NFL broadcasters. According to Andrew Marchand of the New York Post, Amazon has inked legendary NFL play-by-play broadcaster Al Michaels to a huge deal to join ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit in their coverage of Thursday Night Football.
“Legendary NFL play-by-player Al Michaels is in agreement with Amazon Prime Video to lead its booth when it begins its exclusive coverage of Thursday Night Football in the fall, The Post has learned,” wrote Marchand. “Michaels’ partner will be ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit. An official announcement could come as early as this week.”
Moreover, Marchand also writes that Michaels’ contract is for three years. Over that time, he’ll be paid near the amount the new voice of ESPN’s Monday Night Football — Joe Buck — is being paid.
“Michaels is expected to sign the contract shortly after months and months of negotiations. Michaels will be paid near the Joe Buck neighborhood, according to sources,” revealed Marchand. “Buck signed a five-year, $75 million deal with ESPN to join his longtime partner at Fox, Troy Aikman, on ESPN’s ‘Monday Night Football.’
As you can see, Amazon is all-in on Thursday Night Football. With Al Michael and Kirk Herbstreit in the booth, they’ve swung for the fences, and hit a home run.
More on Al Michaels, Amazon deal
Moreover, Marchand added that Michaels waited to sign his Amazon deal to see if ESPN or FOX were going to become suitors.
“Michaels has waited to agree to the contract with Amazon to see if ESPN or Fox would become options,” wrote Marchand. “ESPN would have tried to team Michaels with Aikman if Fox declined to let Buck out of his contract. After Buck left, Michaels and his representatives reached out to Fox to see if it would want him, according to sources, but Fox, with two of the next three Super Bowls, has been inclined to go with Kevin Burkhardt.”
Moreover, Marchand mentions that Mike Tirico will takeover Michaels’ spot at NBC.
“Michaels did not do all the games at NBC in recent years, as his backup, Tirico, had in his contract to do a few games per year,” wrote Marchand. “Tirico will be teaming with Cris Collinsworth as the now permanent play-by-player for SNF.”
As you can see, there’s been plenty of movement within the broadcastings ranks with the addition of Amazon to the NFL’s broadcasting partners. Next season, the voices calling the games will take some getting used to.