Al Michaels has been calling NFL primetime broadcasts for 38 seasons, but his current contract with Amazon Prime Video expires at the end of the season.
Now 80, it’s fair to wonder if Michaels is considering retirement. Yet the broadcast veteran told Richard Deitsch on The Sports Media Podcast this week that he’s “leaning” toward a return in 2025.
He said the feeling is mutual with Amazon executives. Michaels is in his third year as play-by-play announcer for Thursday Night Football.
“I am leaning very heavily in that direction, yes,” Michaels said when Deitsch asked about his return for the 2025 season. “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.
“I also love the people I’m working with. 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.”
Michaels’ comments confirm a recent report about his future plans. The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported in December that his sources said Michaels planned to return on a “year-to-year” basis for the 2025 season.
“Management is in favor of it, and they have been great, top to bottom,” Michaels said.
Some fans and media critics have called Michaels out for appearing somewhat disengaged while calling TNF games, although part of that might have been due to a lackluster slate of games that often were not competitive. Herbstreit, who works as the color analyst with Michaels, has defended him. Thanks to a better TNF schedule, Michaels has also seemed more excited this year.
Michaels gets a great game on Saturday night as Prime Video broadcasts its first NFL playoff game. The Baltimore Ravens host the Pittsburgh Steelers at 8 p.m. (ET)
Again, for those wondering if Michaels is ready to call it a career, he couldn’t be clearer—he’s still having too much fun to stop now.
“I still get excited walking into a stadium,” Michaels said. “I still love to do what I do. So, why walk away?”
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.