ESPN reportedly wants to ‘acquire’ Al Michaels, possibly pair him with Philip Rivers
NFL free agency begins in two weeks, but the biggest moves could happen among the networks.
The New York Post reported ESPN “plans to attempt to acquire Al Michaels from NBC Sports for ‘Monday Night Football.’”
ESPN made an aggressive move to land analyst Tony Romo, the former Cowboys quarterback, but he stayed at CBS Sports after receiving a deal that will pay him $17 million a year.
The Post story says ESPN hoped a team of Michaels and Romo could work “Monday Night Football.” The current broadcast duo of Joe Tessitore and Booger McFarland have been roundly criticized by fans on social media, which could be why ESPN seeks a change.
If it does get Michaels, and that’s a big if at this point, ESPN hopes to lure former Colts/Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning to the broadcast booth, the Post said. ESPN tried to hire Manning last year but was denied.
CBS Sports said Manning didn’t want to be put in a spot where he would have to criticize his brother, Eli, or former teammates.”
Eli Manning retired in January, which could open the door to Peyton Manning joining ESPN. But some of Manning’s former teammates are still active.
If Manning says no? The Post story says, “ESPN has also shown interest in free-agent quarterback Philip Rivers.”
Rivers, who will part ways with the Chargers, has said he still wants to play, which would seem to scuttle those plans.
The Post story notes Michaels has two years remaining on his NBC contract.
“Al is under contract for the foreseeable future,” NBC spokesman Greg Hughes told the Post.
You can read the whole Post story here, including reasons why Michaels might want to leave NBC.
This story was originally published March 5, 2020 at 12:54 PM.
