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Popular Sunday Night Football announcer Al Michaels left NBC before the 2022 NFL season started. Primetime football saw a major shift as one of the biggest names in broadcasting moved to a different network. Michaels has been the voice of NBC's SNF for the last 16 years.
Michaels has held the position of play-by-play announcer for Sunday Night Football since it began airing on NBC in 2006. Football fans have become accustomed to hearing him on the No.1 primetime television show for the past decade.
There have been a few changes to the show as veteran broadcaster Mike Tirico became the new play-by-play announcer this fall for Sunday Night Football. Joining him is color commentator Cris Collinsworth, who returned for his 14th season as an SNF analyst. The host and reporter for NFL Network, Melissa Stark, replaced Michele Tafoya as the new sideline reporter.
Michaels left his position on NBC Sports to become the play-by-play caller for Amazon Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football coverage. Michaels is still a prominent voice in primetime NFL football broadcasts but is covering TNF games now.
The legendary announcer's contract with NBC ended after the Super Bowl game that saw the Los Angeles Rams win their second Lombardi Trophy. This made him a big name that was up for grabs.
Al Michaels became the hottest free agent in the commentator market
Al Michaels became the most sought-after announcer left on the market and was approached by many networks. In March 2022, there were reports of Michaels reaching a contract agreement with Amazon Prime Video to become their play-by-play voice for their exclusive coverage of Thursday Night Football.
The NFL soon confirmed the news and he is currently working alongside analyst Kirk Herbstreit. Fans got to hear him for the first time during Week 3 of the 2022 NFL preseason. The San Francisco 49ers played the Houston Texans and the broadcast was lauded with positive feedback.
Fans who missed Al Michaels on Sunday Night Football will still get to hear him on NBC this year, but only after the regular season ends. NBC Sports made him an honorary commentator in May. This allows the renowned play-by-play announcer to broadcast and contribute to NBC's presentations of the NFL Playoffs and the Olympics.
Al Michaels removed off NBC’s NFL playoff coverage
On Tuesday, NBC removed Al Michaels off their NFL season playoff coverage. The report came as a shock to the legendary broadcaster, who will be replaced by Noah Eagle and Todd Blackledge and sideline reporter Kathryn Tappen.
The broadcaster was caught off guard when he was informed about NBC's decision. Al Michaels assumed he'd be calling a playoff game in the playoffs for NBC.
There has been growing tension between the two parties, Al Michaels and NBC. The news was first reported by New York Post's Andrew Marchand, to whom Greg Hughes, the vice president of NBC Sports confirmed it.
