View Full Version : Report: ESPN may pursue Al Michaels for Monday Night Football


TMC
01-25-2022, 11:39 PM
https://nypost.com/2022/01/25/espn-considering-al-michaels-pursuit-with-amazon-closing-in/

Michaels, who called MNF games on ABC from 1986 to 2005, could return to the ESPN version of the NFL broadcast, reports the New York Post's Andrew Marchand. The 77-year-old Michaels' NBC contract is set to expire amid reports that he may join Amazon's Thursday Night Football. "While Michaels’ negotiations have progressed with Amazon, there are still questions on whom Michaels would partner with at the streaming platform," says Marchand. "That is to say the official’s arms have not been raised to the sky yet. Meanwhile, ESPN’s Monday Night Football is on the verge of something of a renaissance as in its new 11-year deal, it will add six ABC games and two Super Bowls. Its schedule is expected to remain very strong, as it soon adds some late-season flex games. Its expansion in games will necessitate needing an extra broadcast team. ESPN is satisfied with its current No. 1 crew of Steve Levy, Brian Griese and Louis Riddick Jr. and was ecstatic over the reception of the Manningcast alternative broadcast this season. The network doesn’t feel like it is imperative to go after Michaels, but it remains intrigued."

TMC
02-07-2022, 08:37 PM
Al Michaels makes it clear he's not retiring after calling next week's Super Bowl: “I’m not ready for any rocking chair or golf" (https://theathletic.com/3116126/2022/02/07/off-to-amazon-al-michaels-ahead-of-his-11th-super-bowl-says-one-things-for-sure-hes-not-ready-to-golf/)

“I love what I do. I feel great,” said Michaels, who will call his 11th Super Bowl on Sunday, in an interview with The Athletic. “I’m not ready for any rocking chair or golf.” Speculation has surrounded Michaels' future with his NBC contract up and rumors that he'll join Amazon's Thursday Night Football package next season. “There’s a lot to reflect on," he said. "With my contract ending at the end of the Super Bowl, I know there are other opportunities and options out there for me. But I did not want to be for one moment distracted. I know there are chances to continue. I’ll assess that when this is over. But I vowed to myself to just enjoy every moment of this year, and I have."

TMC
02-14-2022, 08:31 PM
Al Michaels was "unsurprisingly excellent" broadcasting Super Bowl LVI, calling his potentially last NFL game for NBC (https://theathletic.com/3125934/2022/02/14/super-bowl-media-review-al-michaels-call-michele-tafoyas-send-off-and-more/)

Michaels called (https://awfulannouncing.com/nfl/al-michaels-cris-collinsworth-and-nbcs-production-team-brought-their-best-for-super-bowl-lvi.html) his 11th Super Bowl last night, tying him with Pat Summerall in a down-to-the-wire contest. The 77-year-old Michaels also alluded to this being his final game (https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2022/02/14/al-michaels-future-super-bowl-broadcast) at NBC amid reports he'll most to Amazon's Thursday Night Football. "If Sunday was an audition for what Michaels can do heading forward, well, it was a little like John Lennon after the Beatles’ rooftop concert in 1969 at their Apple Corps headquarters in London," says Richard Deitsch. "Michaels passed the audition. He was unsurprisingly excellent on Sunday night and continues to call a quality game at 77. Michaels has always had a great feel for adding something beyond his call, and here was an example of that. After Cooper Kupp’s 20-yard reception with 8:46 remaining in the first quarter, Michaels gave you a small but interesting nugget that Kupp was the only player other than Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady to receive an MVP vote."

Al Michaels reveals to Eminem he's not retiring (https://www.thebiglead.com/posts/al-michaels-eminem-not-retiring-01fvwn6gp5gs)

Michaels has opted not to talk about his future with his NBC contract expiring. But backstage at Super Bowl LVI, Michaels was filmed telling an admiring Eminem that he's not retiring.