What Happened to Alan Richard Michaels?
Al Michaels is a legendary American sports broadcaster renowned for his iconic play-by-play calls across various sports, most notably the NFL's "Monday Night Football" and "Sunday Night Football," and the "Miracle on Ice." As of 2026, he continues his illustrious career as the lead play-by-play announcer for Amazon Prime Video's "Thursday Night Football," having extended his contract for the 2026 NFL season.
Quick Answer
Al Michaels, the renowned sports broadcaster, is currently the lead play-by-play announcer for Amazon Prime Video's "Thursday Night Football." Despite turning 82 in November 2026, he confirmed his return for the 2026 NFL season, continuing a career that has spanned over five decades. He initially signed a three-year deal with Amazon in 2022, followed by one-year extensions for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, expressing his desire to continue as long as he feels he's at the top of his game.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Born in Brooklyn, New York
Alan Richard Michaels was born in Brooklyn, New York, later moving to Los Angeles with his family in 1958.
Became Voice of Cincinnati Reds Radio
At the age of 26, Michaels became the lead radio play-by-play announcer for the Cincinnati Reds, gaining national exposure.
Joined ABC Sports
Michaels began a long and distinguished career with ABC Sports, covering a wide array of major sporting events.
Iconic 'Miracle on Ice' Call
Michaels delivered his legendary "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!" call during the U.S. Olympic hockey team's upset victory over the Soviet Union at the Lake Placid Winter Olympics.
Became Voice of Monday Night Football
Al Michaels took over as the lead play-by-play announcer for ABC's highly popular "Monday Night Football," a role he held for 20 years.
Covered Earthquake-Interrupted World Series
Michaels provided calm and professional coverage during Game 3 of the World Series when the Loma Prieta earthquake struck, interrupting the broadcast.
Moved to NBC for Sunday Night Football
Michaels, along with John Madden, moved to NBC to become the lead play-by-play announcer for "Sunday Night Football," a position he held until 2021.
Inducted into Television Academy Hall of Fame
Michaels was honored with induction into the Television Academy Hall of Fame and received the Pete Rozelle Radio & Television Award from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Received Ford C. Frick Award
Michaels was honored with the Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasting excellence by the National Baseball Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to baseball.
Called his 11th Super Bowl (Super Bowl LVI)
Michaels called Super Bowl LVI for NBC, tying Pat Summerall's record for the most Super Bowls called by a lead announcer. This was his last Super Bowl for NBC.
Joined Amazon Prime Video for Thursday Night Football
Michaels signed a three-year deal to become the lead play-by-play announcer for Amazon Prime Video's "Thursday Night Football," marking a significant shift to streaming.
Signed One-Year Extension for 2025 TNF Season
After his initial three-year contract with Amazon expired, Michaels reportedly signed a one-year deal to continue calling "Thursday Night Football" for the 2025 NFL season.
Confirmed Return for 2026 Thursday Night Football Season
Amazon Prime Video officially confirmed that Al Michaels would return as the lead play-by-play voice for "Thursday Night Football" for the 2026 NFL season.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Al Michaels, born Alan Richard Michaels on November 12, 1944, has carved out an unparalleled career as one of America's most recognizable and respected sports broadcasters. His journey began in the late 1960s, leading to significant roles with the Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants before joining ABC Sports in 1977. It was at ABC where Michaels rose to national prominence, delivering iconic calls such as the "Miracle on Ice" at the 1980 Winter Olympics and his composed reporting during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake that interrupted the World Series.
Michaels became synonymous with prime-time NFL football, serving as the play-by-play voice for ABC's "Monday Night Football" from 1986 to 2005. His move to NBC in 2006 marked a significant turning point, where he continued his prime-time dominance on "Sunday Night Football" for 15 seasons, often paired with analyst Cris Collinsworth. During his tenure at NBC, "Sunday Night Football" consistently ranked as the highest-rated show on television. He called a total of 11 Super Bowls across ABC and NBC, tying Pat Summerall for the most by a lead announcer.
In March 2022, a major shift occurred as Michaels transitioned to Amazon Prime Video to become the lead play-by-play announcer for "Thursday Night Football." This move was part of Amazon's exclusive rights deal for the NFL package, marking a new era for Michaels in streaming sports. He signed an initial three-year contract, reportedly worth around $15 million annually, and also maintained an "emeritus" role with NBC, allowing him to call select playoff games.
Following the expiration of his initial Amazon contract after the 2024 NFL season, questions arose about his future, especially given his age. However, Michaels expressed a strong desire to continue broadcasting. In late 2024, he signed a one-year deal to return for the 2025 "Thursday Night Football" season. This was followed by an official confirmation in January 2026 that Michaels would indeed return for the 2026 NFL season, continuing his role with Amazon Prime Video. Despite some criticism regarding his performance in recent years, Michaels and Amazon have expressed satisfaction with his work. As of September 18, 2026, Al Michaels remains an active and prominent voice in NFL broadcasting, defying conventional retirement timelines and continuing to call weekly prime-time games for a national audience.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Alan Richard Michaels made different choices?