Legendary broadcaster Al Michaels called his first NFL postseason game back in 1988, when he was on the call for ABC.
While that was his first NFL playoff game, we now have reason to believe that he may not ever call another one.
According to Andrew Marchand of The New York Post, Michaels was left off NBC’s playoff roster for the upcoming NFL playoffs. Marchand reported Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth, who handle Sunday Night Football, will work for two of NBC’s three postseason games. For the third, Noah Eagle will replace Michaels with Todd Blackledge as the color commentator.
Marchand added that the move “has been in the works for awhile” and is part of a larger dynamic behind the scenes.
Whatever the case may be, the decision does not sit well with Tim Brando who openly questioned the future of veteran broadcasters while on OutKick’s “Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich” this week.
“When I hear about it happen to someone like Al, that’s pretty unique because you would think he would be above that,” Brando said, via Fox News Digital. “Maybe it’s just their way of saying, the industry’s way of saying, ‘OK, you’ve had your day. It’s time to move on.’ But if you still got your fastball — and I think he does — it’s hard. I felt the same way about (Brent) Musburger. They ran him out too soon even though he was well into his mid-to-late 70s.
“But that’s what’s happening in our business. Younger guys coming up are getting great opportunities, and that’s good. But if it’s at the cost of losing some of our really big and outstanding iconic voices, it’s kind of a shame.”
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Michaels told Marchand he was expecting to work this year’s playoffs since it was part of his current deal with NBC. The reason for his demotion is unclear.
The 79-year-old did receive some criticism last year for his tone during one of the biggest comebacks in NFL history.
It’s the same criticism he has been receiving on Thursday Night Football.
Despite fans calling for his retirement, Michaels will continue to work in the booth through the 2024 season, confirming to Marchand in November he intends to return to Amazon’s Thursday Night Football broadcasts.
