Career Timeline of Al Michaels: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Al Michaels built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Al Michaels is a highly regarded American sportscaster, known primarily for his play-by-play commentary on NFL games, including long tenures with ABC's Monday Night Football and NBC's Sunday Night Football. His broadcasting career began in 1971, and he currently works for Amazon Prime Video's Thursday Night Football. Beyond football, Michaels is recognized for his iconic calls of other sporting events, most notably the 'Miracle on Ice' at the 1980 Winter Olympics and Game 3 of the 1989 World Series, interrupted by an earthquake, solidifying his place as a legendary figure in sports broadcasting.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1970: Michaels Acts in Hawaii Five-O

In 1970, Al Michaels had an acting role in an episode of Hawaii Five-O.

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1980: U.S. Hockey Team Victory

In 1980, Al Michael's call of the U.S. hockey team's victory was recorded.

1988: Michaels Calls Ice Hockey at the 1988 Calgary Games

In 1988, Al Michaels called ice hockey at the Calgary Games for ABC. It was Michaels's first involvement in an Olympic telecast since then.

1992: Michaels' Contract Renewal with ABC

Back in 1992, as a provision in Al Michael's contract renewal with ABC, he would become the prime time anchor if ABC were to broadcast the Olympics again, with Jim McKay playing an emeritus role.

1995: Michaels Calls Game 5 of 1995 World Series

In 1995, Al Michaels called Games 1, 4 and 5 of the World Series with Jim Palmer and Tim McCarver.

1996: ABC Loses Bid for 1996 Summer Olympics Broadcasting Rights

In 1996, ABC was in the running to purchase the broadcasting rights for the Summer Games from Atlanta, but NBC ultimately won the rights for $456 million.

August 6, 2003: Michaels Serves as Guest Commentator on ESPN Game

On August 6, 2003, Al Michaels served as a guest commentator on an ESPN game.

2003: Michaels Featured in Madden NFL 2003

Starting in 2003, Al Michaels, along with John Madden, was featured in the Madden NFL series.

2004: Michaels' Call Featured in 'Miracle'

In 2004, Al Michaels' call of the U.S. hockey team's victory in the 1980 Olympics could be heard in the film Miracle. Michaels re-recorded all his original play-by-play coverage for the film, except for the memorable line.

February 8, 2006: ESPN Announces Monday Night Football Team Without Michaels

On February 8, 2006, ESPN announced Mike Tirico would be on play-by-play for Monday Night Football, with Joe Theismann and Tony Kornheiser as analysts. ESPN stated that Al Michaels would not return to Monday Night Football or ABC's NBA broadcasts.

February 9, 2006: Michaels Joins NBC for NFL Sunday Nights

On February 9, 2006, NBC confirmed that Al Michaels would be joining John Madden to broadcast NFL games on Sunday nights, ending his 20-year tenure on Monday Night Football and almost 30 years with ABC. NBCUniversal sold ESPN cable rights to Friday coverage of the next four Ryder Cups, granted ESPN increased usage of Olympic highlights, and sold to parent company Disney the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit as part of the deal.

August 6, 2006: Michaels and Madden Debut on NBC

On August 6, 2006, Al Michaels and John Madden began their NBC tenure with the preseason Pro Football Hall of Fame Game telecast.

February 1, 2009: Michaels Calls First Super Bowl on NBC

On February 1, 2009, Al Michaels called Super Bowl XLIII, his first Super Bowl telecast for NBC and seventh overall as a play-by-play announcer.

March 2009: Michaels to Host NBC's 2010 Winter Olympics Coverage

In March 2009, it was announced that Al Michaels would be the daytime host for NBC's coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

April 15, 2009: End of Michaels-Madden Era on Sunday Night Football

April 15, 2009 marks the end of Al Michael's era calling Sunday Night Football with John Madden.

April 16, 2009: Cris Collinsworth Joins Michaels on Sunday Night Football

On April 16, 2009, Cris Collinsworth agreed to join Al Michaels on NBC's Sunday Night Football, replacing John Madden.

2010: Michaels Hosts 2010 Winter Olympics Coverage

In 2010, Al Michaels served as the daytime host for NBC's coverage of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia. He also co-hosted the Closing Ceremony with Bob Costas.

February 5, 2012: Michaels Calls Super Bowl XLVI

On February 5, 2012, Al Michaels called Super Bowl XLVI.

2012: Michaels Co-Hosts 2012 Summer Olympics Coverage

In 2012, Al Michaels co-hosted NBC's coverage of the Summer Olympics in London with Dan Patrick during the daytime and with Bob Costas and Ryan Seacrest for the Closing Ceremony.

2014: Michaels Hosts Coverage for 2014 Winter Olympics

In 2014, Al Michaels hosted weekday coverage on NBCSN and weekend daytime coverage on NBC for the Winter Olympics in Sochi.

2014: Michaels Releases Autobiography

In 2014, Al Michaels released his autobiography titled "You Can't Make This Up: Memories and the Perfect Marriage of Sports and Television," which became a New York Times Best Seller.

You Can't Make This Up: Miracles, Memories, and the Perfect Marriage of Sports and Television

Check it on Amazon

January 2015: Michaels to Commentate for PBC on NBC

In January 2015, NBC announced that Al Michaels would be at ringside along with Marv Albert and Sugar Ray Leonard for the PBC on NBC Saturday night boxing bouts.

February 1, 2015: Michaels Calls Super Bowl XLIX

On February 1, 2015, Al Michaels called Super Bowl XLIX.

2016: Michaels First Calls Thursday Night Football

In 2016, Al Michaels first called Thursday Night Football as part of a deal in which NBC produced games for NFL Network.

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2016: Michaels Hosts Coverage for 2016 Summer Olympics

In 2016, Al Michaels returned to host daytime coverage for the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

February 4, 2018: Michaels Calls Super Bowl LII

On February 4, 2018, Al Michaels called Super Bowl LII.

February 13, 2022: Michaels Calls Super Bowl LVI

On February 13, 2022, Al Michaels called Super Bowl LVI, tying Pat Summerall for the most Super Bowls called by a play-by-play announcer.

March 23, 2022: Michaels Joins Amazon for Thursday Night Football

On March 23, 2022, the NFL and Amazon announced that Al Michaels would become the full-time play-by-play announcer for Thursday Night Football, alongside Kirk Herbstreit, airing exclusively on Amazon Prime Video and Twitch.

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May 24, 2022: NBC Announces Michaels' "Emeritus" Role

On May 24, 2022, NBC announced that Al Michaels, despite his departure from Sunday Night Football after the 2021 season, would call at least one NFL playoff game for NBC in an "emeritus" role.