Legendary play-by-play man Al Michaels has taken considerable heat from fans for his lack of enthusiasm on calls during Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” showdowns.
Michaels, who turns 82 next month, hears the criticism, but he’s not quite ready to step away from the broadcast booth just yet. During a conversation with Dan Patrick, the longtime broadcaster admitted he’ll know when it’s time to retire – or someone at Prime Video will tell him.
In response to being asked how he’ll find out it’s time to retire Michaels said, “Well, either the people that I work for will tell me, or I’ll know myself, a combination.”
“Let’s put it this way. The folks at Amazon and Prime have been fantastic. Fantastic to me,” he said before revealing Amazon checks in with him after every season to gauge his interest in returning to the booth.
“If they come to me and say, you know, it’s time for us to move on … You guys have been fantastic. You’ve been great. I’ve done the NFL for 41 years, which is half my life. Love it. But you know what? At a certain time, it’s time,” he said. “And if they feel it’s time, great. And if I feel it’s time, I’ll know it. And I’ll say, ‘You know what? Thanks for the memories.’”
Prime Video Has Al Michaels Replacement in Mind
If he does, Prime Video already knows who it wants to replace him: Ian Eagle.
“While Michaels’ future plans are still undetermined, Prime Video has CBS’ No. 2 NFL play-by-player Ian Eagle on the top of its list to succeed him on ‘Thursday Night Football.’ Eagle is already Prime Video’s top NBA play-by-player. Eagle is in the final year of his CBS contract,” media insider Andrew Marchand reported.
While Prime Video has its eye on Eagle, Marchand made it clear CBS plans to keep the play-by-play star as part of its broadcast teams. He recently replaced Jim Nantz on the network as the voice of the Final Four.
For now, Michaels will be on the call for Thursday night’s battle between the Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers.
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