As Amazon gears up to stream NBA games on Prime Video starting in 2025, one thing is certain: Al Michaels won’t be returning to cover basketball. The legendary broadcaster, who currently serves as the voice of Amazon’s “Thursday Night Football” NFL coverage, has made it clear that he won’t be involved in the NBA broadcasts.
In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Michaels, now 79 years old, dismissed the idea of returning to NBA coverage. Instead, he suggested that Amazon should build a new team that can grow with the platform over time. His contract with Amazon is set to expire at the end of the upcoming NFL season, and Michaels seems content to pass the baton to the next generation of broadcasters.
“I don’t think so. It’s a long-term thing for Amazon, and they should put a group together that can do this for a lot of years and build. I’m sure that’s what they’re going to do,” Michaels told the Times. “I love doing the NBA but that was a long time ago and I’m happy just to spectate next year and beyond.”
Al Michaels also mentioned that two NBA team owners expressed confidence in Amazon’s ability to handle NBA broadcasts due to the success of the “Thursday Night Football” team. He even jokingly suggested that his friend, actor Greg Kinnear, should portray him in Amazon’s upcoming John Madden biopic.
With decades of experience spanning NFL prime-time games, the World Series, and iconic moments like the “Miracle on Ice” hockey call, Michaels is undoubtedly a broadcasting legend. However, his NBA experience, which includes covering games for ABC from 2003 to 2005, is not what he is best known for.
Amazon’s acquisition of NBA rights has sparked curiosity about how the tech giant will approach its new sports venture. When Amazon first entered the NFL broadcasting space, it made headlines by luring Michaels away from NBC and pairing him with college football commentator Kirk Herbstreit. Given the reported $1.8 billion that Amazon spent on an 11-year contract with the NBA, it’s expected that the company will make another big splash in assembling its NBA broadcast team.
As fans and industry insiders speculate about Amazon’s plans, one thing is clear: the future of NBA streaming on Prime Video will not include the familiar voice of Al Michaels.
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