The Unstoppable Voice: 5 Shocking Truths About Al Michaels' Thursday Night Football Return In 2025

The legendary voice of Al Michaels is officially back for another season of *Thursday Night Football* (TNF) on Amazon Prime Video, an announcement that, as of late 2025, has sent ripples through the sports broadcasting world. While his presence is a testament to an unparalleled career spanning over five decades, the terms of his return and the surrounding scrutiny make this one of the most compelling stories in the National Football League (NFL) media landscape. After his initial three-year, $30 million contract with the streaming giant expired, the 81-year-old play-by-play icon signed a new one-year deal, signaling his continued desire to call games despite persistent, and sometimes brutal, criticism from fans and media alike. His decision to stay is not just about a paycheck; it’s about a passion for the game and a legacy he is still actively writing.

The 2025 season marks the continuation of the unprecedented partnership between a broadcasting titan and a major tech company, a pairing that fundamentally changed how America consumes its weekly dose of professional football. Michaels remains the centerpiece of the *TNF* broadcast team, alongside game analyst Kirk Herbstreit and sideline reporter Kaylee Hartung, bringing his signature gravitas and encyclopedic knowledge to the exclusive streaming package. This article dives deep into the five most shocking and essential truths about Al Michaels' current tenure, his controversial moments, and the final chapters of his iconic career.

Alan Richard Michaels: The Definitive Biography and Career Profile

Alan Richard Michaels was born on November 12, 1944, in Brooklyn, New York, and has become one of the most recognizable and honored figures in the history of sports broadcasting. His career is a masterclass in longevity and versatility, spanning baseball, basketball, and, most famously, football.

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• Full Name: Alan Richard Michaels
• Born: November 12, 1944 (Brooklyn, New York, USA)
• First Sportscasting Job: 1964 (Reportedly covering the Los Angeles Kings in the NHL, though his first major job was in 1968)
• Early Career: Began announcing Hawaii Islanders Baseball and University of Hawaii football and basketball games in 1968.
• Major Network Tenures:
  • ABC Sports (1976–2006): Michaels spent nearly three decades at ABC, where he became the voice of *Monday Night Football* (MNF) starting in 1986.
  • NBC Sports (2006–2021): He transitioned to NBC to call *Sunday Night Football* (SNF), a role he held until 2021.
  • Amazon Prime Video (2022–Present): Became the play-by-play voice for *Thursday Night Football* (TNF).
• Most Famous Call: The "Miracle on Ice" at the 1980 Winter Olympics, where he famously exclaimed, "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!"
• Film/TV Appearances: Known for roles in *BASEketball*, *Jerry Maguire*, and *Miracle*.
• Awards and Honors: Inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame and honored by the National Sports Media Association.

The 2025 Contract: A One-Year Deal and the 2026 Question

The biggest news surrounding Michaels is not his return, but the nature of his contract. His original, massive three-year commitment to Amazon Prime Video, which began in 2022 when the streamer acquired exclusive rights to the *TNF* package, concluded after the 2024 NFL season.

The Shocking Truth: It’s a Year-to-Year Commitment Now.

Rather than a long-term extension, Michaels returned for the 2025 campaign on a one-year deal, a clear sign that both the broadcaster and Amazon are taking their relationship on a season-by-season basis. This is highly unusual for a major network's lead play-by-play voice and signals the twilight of his career, even as he openly campaigns for another year.

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Michaels, who turned 81 during the 2025 season, has repeatedly expressed his desire to continue working, stating he would like to return for the 2026 season as well. His role is now essentially a 16-game-per-season commitment, which allows him to maintain a presence in the NFL without the grueling travel schedule of his *MNF* or *SNF* days. The decision for 2026 will be a pivotal one for both Michaels' legacy and Amazon's long-term strategy for their multi-billion dollar investment in NFL media rights, which is overseen by Executive Producer Fred Gaudelli.

The Controversial Critique: Lack of Enthusiasm and "Used Car" Games

The Shocking Truth: Michaels Has Faced Unprecedented Backlash.

Despite his legendary status, Michaels’ tenure on *Thursday Night Football* has been marked by a continuing narrative of fan dissatisfaction. Critics, particularly on social media, have called for him to step down, citing a perceived lack of energy, enthusiasm, and occasional "massive blunders" during the broadcasts.

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This criticism often peaks during games that are lopsided or feature non-contending teams, a common issue with the historical *TNF* schedule. Michaels himself has contributed to this narrative with memorable, if brutal, honesty. He famously compared calling a game between two bad teams to trying to sell a "used car," a quote that quickly became an LSI keyword for his time on Amazon.

His candor has also led to specific controversies during the 2024 and 2025 seasons:

• The Jets and Patriots "Savage Swipes": During a game featuring the New York Jets and New England Patriots, Michaels made several pointed, "brutal" comments at the expense of the Jets, which drew immediate reaction from fans and media.
• Upsetting Philadelphia Fans: Michaels stirred controversy by stating that while some teams are "good but not particularly interesting," the Buffalo Bills are a "great team to watch," a comment widely interpreted as a slight against the Philadelphia Eagles fanbase.
• The Bland Game Narrative: Michaels and his partner, game analyst Kirk Herbstreit, were frequently criticized for failing to inject excitement into what fans deemed "boring" matchups, such as the New York Jets' victory over the New England Patriots.

This dynamic—a broadcasting legend being openly criticized for his lack of excitement—is a unique and shocking chapter in a career otherwise defined by iconic, high-energy calls.

The Herbstreit Dynamic: The Partner's Public Defense

The Shocking Truth: His Partner is His Fiercest Defender.

Michaels’ broadcast partner, Kirk Herbstreit, a respected college football analyst who also joined the Amazon booth for *TNF*, has become a vocal shield against the criticism. The pairing of the 80-year-old traditionalist and the younger, College GameDay star was an interesting dynamic from the start.

Herbstreit has publicly defended Michaels, pushing back against the "continuing narrative" that the legendary announcer is unenthusiastic or past his prime. He argues that the nature of *Thursday Night Football*—often featuring less-than-stellar matchups and the pressure of a prime-time slot—is the real culprit, not Michaels’ performance. This defense highlights the strong professional relationship between the two, even as they face joint criticism for rough broadcasts, such as the widely panned San Francisco 49ers-Los Angeles Rams game.

The chemistry between Michaels and Herbstreit, while occasionally criticized for being too subdued, is a core entity of the *TNF* broadcast. Herbstreit’s loyalty underscores the respect Michaels still commands within the industry, even as his public perception wavers. The entire production is overseen by Executive Producer Fred Gaudelli, a longtime collaborator of Michaels from their *Sunday Night Football* days, further cementing the traditional, network-style feel of the Amazon broadcast.

The Enduring Legacy: Why Amazon Needs Al Michaels

The Shocking Truth: Amazon's Multi-Billion Dollar Investment Depends on His Authority.

Al Michaels’ return, despite the one-year terms and the public scrutiny, is essential for Amazon Prime Video. The company paid billions for the exclusive rights to *Thursday Night Football*, a major pivot that brought the NFL entirely to a streaming platform. To legitimize this massive technological and financial investment, Amazon needed a voice that screamed "big-time NFL."

Michaels is that voice. He is the last active link to the golden era of prime-time NFL broadcasting, having anchored *Monday Night Football* for decades and then elevating *Sunday Night Football* to the top-rated prime-time show in television. His presence provides instant credibility and topical authority that no other broadcaster could offer, especially as Amazon attempts to bridge the gap between traditional television viewers and the new streaming audience.

His longevity is a record unto itself. Michaels has called prime-time NFL games in five different decades, a staggering achievement that few, if any, can match. Entities like ABC Sports, NBC Sports, and now Amazon Prime Video have all relied on his steady, authoritative delivery. As he gears up for the 2025 season, the narrative is not just about a game; it is about witnessing the final, historic chapters of a career that defined the sound of American football for generations. Whether he continues into 2026 or beyond, every game he calls is a moment of broadcasting history.