Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit to call Amazon Prime Video’s NFL package

Does Al Michaels believe in Amazon? Yes.

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Michaels, 77, the iconic broadcaster who has called 11 Super Bowls, will team with Kirk Herbstreit to be the announcers for Amazon Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” streaming service, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Michaels moves to Prime Video from NBC. His contract with the network ended last month, The Associated Press reported.

“This is the new frontier in sports television and to be a part of the launch at this point in my career is both exciting and stimulating,” Michaels said in a statement Wednesday. “The NFL is the king of unscripted television, and I’m looking forward to joining Kirk to bring fans more dramatic episodes on Thursday nights this fall.”

Amazon becomes the first streaming service to broadcast a season-long NFL package, CNN reported. That deal was announced last week as part of the NFL’s new $100 billion, 11-year agreement with its broadcast partners, the network reported.

Michaels is the only announcer to call the Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals and host the Stanley Cup Final. His signature moment in broadcasting came during the 1980 Winter Olympics when, during the final seconds of the U.S. hockey team’s upset victory against the Soviet Union in the semifinals, he exclaimed, “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”

Herbstreit, 52, who has been with ESPN since 1996, will remain as the sports network’s lead college football analyst while handling NFL games for Prime Video, the AP reported. Herbstreit signed a multiyear extension with ESPN on Wednesday, the network announced.

Herbstreit will continue to appear on ESPN’s three-hour “Game Day” program and will call college games on Saturday night, The Wall Street Journal reported. His deal with Amazon is reportedly for five years, the newspaper reported.

“I’m going to be seven days a week for four months,” Herbstreit said.

Michaels, who has called “Sunday Night Football” on NBC for 16 years, will be replaced by Mike Tirico, CNN reported.

“Al and Kirk bring unparalleled experience to our historic new Thursday Night Football game telecasts as we kick off our groundbreaking new agreement with the NFL,” Marie Donoghue, vice president for Amazon Global Sports Video, said in a statement.

Prime Video also announced that Fred Gaudelli will be the company’s executive producer for “Thursday Night Football,” according to the AP. Gaudelli will remain with NBC in an executive role, the network said.

Michaels and Herbstreit are the latest in a merry-go-round of announcers shifting networks. Earlier this month, ESPN announced that it had lured Joe Buck and Troy Aikman from Fox to call the network’s “Monday Night Football” telecasts, The Washington Post reported.

The 2022 season marks the first year in which “Thursday Night Football” will be exclusive to Prime Video, NFL.com reported. The 11-year deal includes 15 regular-season games and one preseason game per season.

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