Sports
NBC Shuns Iconic Announcer Al Michaels, Excludes From NFL Playoff Showdown
"Al Michaels (37443740985)" by Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Clear Facts
- NBC has excluded legendary broadcaster Al Michaels from its NFL playoff coverage.
- Michaels was reportedly “caught off guard” by the decision.
- He has one year remaining on his deal with Amazon.
NBC has decided to leave out legendary play-by-play man Al Michaels from its NFL playoff broadcast slate, as reported by the New York Post on Tuesday. Unlike the previous year, NBC will not employ Michaels to broadcast one of their four playoff games this season.
Last year, Michaels had departed from his longtime gig calling Sunday Night Football for NBC to cover Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime. Despite this, he still called a game for NBC in the 2023 NFL playoffs, which featured a miraculous comeback effort by the Jacksonville Jaguars and became an instant classic.
According to the New York Post, three of NBC’s four playoff games in 2024 will be covered by their primary broadcast team: play-by-play man Mike Tirico and Michaels’ longtime partner, color analyst Cris Collinsworth. The other game, airing the same week as one of the Collinsworth/Tirico games, will be covered by the network’s flagship college football broadcast team led by 26-year-old play-by-play man Noah Eagle and former NFL quarterback Todd Blackledge.
Michaels was reportedly “caught off guard” by the news and told the Post that he still believed he would call a playoff game for NBC as recently as November. This snub could potentially signal the end for the “do you believe in miracles” originator.
After being let go from Sunday Night Football, Michaels had lobbied for ESPN’s Monday Night Football and Fox’s primetime booth jobs. He currently has one year remaining on his deal with Amazon.
Clear Thoughts (op-ed)
NBC’s decision to exclude Al Michaels from its NFL playoff coverage is a baffling move.
This legendary broadcaster has been the voice of unforgettable moments in sports history, and to deny him the opportunity to call another game is an insult to his legacy.
NBC’s choice to favor younger, less experienced commentators over Michaels shows a lack of respect for his contributions to the industry.
As Michaels potentially nears the end of his illustrious career, it’s a shame that a broadcasting giant like NBC would snub him in this manner.
One can only hope that he’ll find a fitting platform to showcase his talents before he hangs up the microphone for good.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Karen Rousey
December 14, 2023 at 12:18 pm
So your article says no federal money goes to abortion just to other health care services like birth control. So you are against birth control? Your lack of support for government funded birth control could lead to a once as in abortions! Crazy reasoning and misleading headline!
Charles Hicks
December 16, 2023 at 7:17 am
There must be political reasons why that most of us aren’t privy to. Al Michaels is a great announcer that I will miss. However, one way to show your displeasure is to snub watching those events; even though that may be impossible. Most of us enjoy watching overpaid men cavorting around the football field. Alas, most good things come to an end. I
Ed Connor
December 16, 2023 at 7:45 am
I have much respect for Al Michaels an all time great and zero for NBC.
ron
December 16, 2023 at 8:11 am
He was / is a terrific announcer, with relevant insight. What a shame.
Tony Bird
December 16, 2023 at 8:15 am
Wel he is white so the libs at NBC can’t have that going to show why they keep tanking more and more.
Jennifer Miller
December 16, 2023 at 8:39 am
Nailed it
Marilyn
December 16, 2023 at 9:05 am
Exactly. Not dark enough.
Marilyn
December 16, 2023 at 9:07 am
Why is Tony Ramos calling any games? He talks continuously without taking a breath.
Charles Griffin
December 16, 2023 at 9:58 am
NBC SUCKS
Jim Aggen
December 16, 2023 at 10:53 am
Why any company would prefer a Chris Collinsworth to Michael’s (or anyone for that matter) is beyond me,
ernaldo
December 16, 2023 at 11:17 am
The pathetic nfl is still in business? I haven’t watched a millisecond since the human toilet brush krapperd!ck took a knee…..
JOHN GOERLITZ III
December 16, 2023 at 3:37 pm
Al’s worst game call is better than troy aikman ever.
Daniel Quigley
December 16, 2023 at 11:31 pm
Like I needed another reason to not watch NBC. These networks keep removing the only reason many watched. If enough people refuse to watch and actually follow through their ratings will drop. Networks hate falling ratings and their choice will be remain WOKE or loose more and more viewers. If enough of us just stop watching that network completely the Brass will have 2 choices. Keep Al off the broadcast and change loosing their jobs or put Al back on the team with Chris where he belongs. Time to have a full out Boycott of NBC. We did it to Bud Lite and Target with great success. Can NBC stand to loose Tens of Billions? I say let’s find out
Lou
January 20, 2024 at 9:04 pm
Al Michaels went where few men go. He is now alone. He made a business decision and NBC made theirs. Few football commentators are timeless. He is good. Is he the same caliber as John Madden, Keith Jackson, or Verne Lundquist. NBC is respecting him. He has a contract to be paid.