Heading into what could be Al Michaels’ final game as NBC’s lead NFL voice, the latest reports on his future. Plus: ESPN taps more Manningcasts and parts ways with a second Mike Golic.
Michaels has $11 million/year offer from Amazon
NBC lead NFL play-by-play voice Al Michaels, set to call his record-tying 11th Super Bowl Sunday night, has an $11 million/year offer from Amazon to call Thursday Night Football games starting next season, the New York Post reported Thursday. Michaels’ negotiations with Amazon have been public knowledge for weeks, though the Post report marks the first news of salary details. As has been previously reported, Michaels’ Amazon deal would allow him to call some games for NBC, including one playoff game.
ESPN is also reportedly interested in Michaels, who called Monday Night Football games until the package moved to ESPN in 2006 (and signed an eight-year deal to move with MNF to ESPN before a change of heart). NBC’s long-reported (but as yet unannounced) succession plan would have Mike Tirico replace Michaels as its lead NFL voice next season.
Michaels’ longtime partner Cris Collinsworth has already reached a $12.5 million/year contract extension to remain with NBC, according to the Post. Should Michaels move to Thursday nights, Troy Aikman — who called four seasons of Thursday night games for FOX — has been mentioned as his likely partner. On Sunday, the Post reported that Rams head coach Sean McVay could be a contender for the Thursday or Monday night roles should he retire at the end of Sunday’s game, or even a role on Fox should Aikman leave the network to join Amazon exclusively. [NYP 2.10, 2.13]
More Manningcasts for ESPN
ESPN announced earlier this week that it has reached a new deal with Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions that will extend the Peyton and Eli Manning-fronted Monday Night Football “Manningcasts” to an additional season in 2024. In addition, the new deal calls for alternate presentations of other ESPN properties — including college football’s national championship, golf and UFC — albeit with different hosts. [ESPN PR]
After parting ways with Mike Golic Sr., ESPN loses Mike Golic Jr.
ESPN personality Mike Golic Jr. announced this week that he has departed the network after a six-year tenure. Golic Jr. had been a radio host and a regular panelist on ESPN’s “Debatable” (previously “Highly Questionable”). His departure comes about a year after his father, the longtime ESPN radio host and college football analyst Mike Golic Sr., was let go by the network. [Awful Announcing 2.8]
