80-year-old Al Michaels has heard many calls to retire throughout what’s been an up-and-down campaign for the veteran commentator.
Even though his three-year deal with Amazon is set to expire after the season, Michaels told Richard Deitsch of The Athletic that he’ll most likely return in 2025.
“I am leaning very heavily in [the] direction [of coming back], yes,” Michaels revealed. “I want to make sure, No. 1, I’m healthy enough, which I am right now. I want to make sure I still have the passion for it, and I know I do. Those two factors are key.”
Michaels joined Amazon’s coverage of the NFL in 2022 after the media giants bought into the league with a $1 billion-a-season deal.
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The 80-year-old has earned roughly $1 million a season calling games for Amazon alongside co-commentator Kirk Herbstreit. ““I also love the people I’m working with,” Michaels continued.
“Not only Kirk [Herbstreit] and Kaylee Hartung, who I work with in the game presentation, but I love our pregame people. I love Andrew Whitworth, Tony Gonzalez, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Charissa Thompson — a fantastic host. I love being with all those people. We have fun. Away from on-air, we have a lot of laughs, a lot of joy.”
This isn’t the first hint Michaels gave about his 2025 status. When speaking with Dan Patrick in December, he admitted “as long as I have the passion for [commentating], I’ll continue.”
Al Michaels is currently in his third season with Amazon alongside Kaylee Hartung and Krik Herbstreit (
Image:
Getty Images)
“But I’m not sitting here going, ‘I’ve got to do this until I die, or I’ve got to set some kind of broadcasting record.’ No, not at all,” he continued.
Michaels is tied with Pat Summerall by commentating 11 Super Bowls. He has not called the big game since he broadcasted the Los Angeles Rams’ 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI in February 2022.
He will call Saturday’s AFC Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens on Prime. Last year, Michaels was skipped over for NBC’s Wild Card game on Peacock – despite his “emeritus” status at the company – for the younger Noah Eagles.
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Michaels grew to prominence as the Monday Night Football announcer on ABC from 1977-2006. He then jumped to NBC and ruled over Sunday Night Football from 2006-2021.
He’s most recognized for his famous ‘Miracle on Ice’ call during the 1980 Winter Olympics when a Team USA junior team upset the USSR in men’s hockey to win the gold medal.
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