Al Michaels isn't going anywhere — at least not yet. The legendary voice of "Thursday Night Football" is expected to stick with Amazon for another season, according to The Athletic's Andrew Marchand.
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Michaels, now 80, is taking a year-to-year approach with Amazon Prime Video as his current three-year deal winds down. So, no long-term extensions — just a flexible arrangement to keep him calling the action on Thursday nights.
Michaels reportedly earns around $15 million per season, putting him in the same pay bracket as ESPN's Joe Buck on "Monday Night Football." Not bad for a guy who's been at the top of the game for decades. Alongside analyst Kirk Herbstreit, Michaels will also handle an NFL Wild Card playoff game for Amazon this season — a nice addition to his usual duties.
If this all sounds familiar, it's because Michaels was slated to call a playoff game for NBC last year, only to be unexpectedly replaced. That didn't sit well with many fans, but he's bounced back with Amazon despite some criticism. The big knock on Michaels? A supposed lack of enthusiasm in the booth.
His response? Don't blame me; blame the games. And honestly, he might have a point. Last season's "Thursday Night Football" schedule was, let's just say, uninspiring. But with better matchups this year and the ability to flex games, things are trending upward.
One thing's for sure: Michaels isn't afraid to share his opinions, whether it's on officiating or the state of the league. And love him or not, his voice remains synonymous with big-time football. For now, Amazon seems more than happy to keep him in the fold—one season at a time.
