Al Michaels is one of 2025’s Thursday Night Football Amazon NFL Announcers and Halftime Commentators.
Michaels is widely known as one of the most legendary play-by-play sportscasters across the league, and will be one of the ones on the call as the Washington Commanders face off against the Green Bay Packers. What many may overlook is that he’s actually been in the industry for quite some time.
How Long has Al Michaels Worked in Network Sports Television?
Michaels, an Arizona State University alum, has worked on network sports television since 1971. He has since been one of the lead play-by-play men for NBC Sports and the NFL Network.
As PFSN previously reported, Michaels stands out in the industry as the man behind the iconic calls from the “Miracle on Ice” at the 1980 Winter Olympics. He has additionally called nearly every Super Bowl moment for a generation.
“Nothing will ever top calling the Miracle on Ice in 1980..
It meant so much to our country” ~ Al Michaels#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/ZhQkz3u5zU
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 26, 2025
If that wasn’t enough, he is also the only commentator to lend his vocal tones to the Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals, and Stanley Cup.
A jack of all trades kind of guy, Michaels has covered football, baseball, basketball, ice hockey, horse racing, and boxing. It is for this reason, in addition to his long tenure, that his voice is widely recognized across all kinds of sports fans.
Michaels is also well-known for being on the call during Game 3 of the 1989 World Series between the then-Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants, which was interrupted by an earthquake.
Michaels currently has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is a three-time NSMA National Sportscaster of the Year.
The sports commentator, who is 80 years old, got his start in the industry in 1967. Michaels’ first job was serving as a color commentator on the Los Angeles Lakers radio broadcasts. Before that, though, he worked as a sports writer for ASU’s independent student newspaper.
Michaels also worked with ABC Sports for nearly three decades.
You wouldn’t know Al Michaels is 80 years old.
Still so smooth, in control and excels in storytelling with beautiful pace.
All-timer. 🎙️🏈
— Brendan Glasheen (@BrendanGlasheen) September 12, 2025
Michaels joined Amazon somewhat recently in 2022 as Thursday Night Football shifted exclusively over to streaming platforms, and unlikely has no plans to retire anytime soon. He is a five-time Sports Emmy Award winner, having won for Outstanding Sports Personality and Play-by-Play.
