A recent Taylor Swift conspiracy might explain why NBC is pulling the plug from Al Michaels calling NFL playoff games this season.
News recently broke that legendary sportscaster Al Michaels is no longer part of NBC's playoff broadcasting crew, a shocking exclusion for a voice that has been part of so many of the NFL's most iconic moments. But why exactly is this happening?
The Newest Taylor Swift Conspiracy Theory: Al Michaels Was Fired From Playoff Duty Because He Refused to Bend the Knee https://t.co/y5i2twPAmk pic.twitter.com/QHVBbLKx76
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 14, 2023
The football world is very split on the impact that singer-songwriter Taylor Swift has had on this season. Some argue that having more eyes on the game is a good thing, almost regardless of the reason, while others view her as a distraction from the main event. Michaels falls more into the latter camp, having stated, "You can't make the sideshow the show."
It's worth noting that in recent weeks, the Swift-related coverage has slowed down tremendously, at least in terms of in-game camera cuts to the Time Person of the Year. But there's a belief that Michaels was dropped from the playoff broadcasting team due to his lack of desire to contribute to this particular corner of today's football media, and the league's fear of losing the new "Swiftie" audience.
Does this feel like a bit of a conspiracy theory? Absolutely. Many of these new fans are not likely to care about, or even know, who exactly is announcing the games. It would also be easy enough to simply put Michaels on games that do not feature Swift's boyfriend, Travis Kelce, and the Kansas City Chiefs.
It's also possible that this has something to do with the fact that Michaels is nearly 80 years old and is just slowing down his career — which would be extremely understandable at his age and after everything he's accomplished in the broadcast field. His work itself has been a bit different this year, with many noting his apparent apathy while calling certain "Thursday Night Football" games.
If this really is the beginning of the end for Al Michaels, it's time to look back and be thankful for his distinguished career, and to remember all of the unforgettable moments made even more memorable by his iconic voice. We can only hope that any step back was due to his own desires rather than the gravity of Swift; but with the business machine that is the NFL, you never know.
