Posted on 02/09/2006 1:34:01 PM PST by mainepatsfan
Michaels jumps to NBC Broadcaster to join Madden on Sunday nights Posted: Thursday February 9, 2006 12:15PM; Updated: Thursday February 9, 2006 12:33PM
NEW YORK (AP) -- Al Michaels is moving to NBC and will broadcast Sunday night NFL games with John Madden, his partner on ABC during the past four seasons.
In exchange for letting Michaels out of his contract with ABC and ESPN, which are owned by The Walt Disney Co., NBC Universal sold ESPN cable rights to Friday coverage of the next four Ryder Cups, granted ESPN increased usage of Olympic highlights and sold to The Walt Disney Co. the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, a character in silent cartoons made by Walt Disney from 1927-28.
Michaels had been with ABC since 1976 and was the play-by-play announcer on Monday Night Football since 1986. He said in July that he would stay with the network to become the announcer for ESPN's Monday night broadcasts, which start this year.
Michaels' mind changed during the past season, realizing he wanted to work with Madden, producer Fred Gaudelli and director Drew Esocoff, who also are moving from ABC to NBC.
"I began to realize more and more how much I was going to miss being with those people," Michaels said Thursday on a conference call. "That's my family, that's my broadcasting family."
Michaels had hoped to finish the current NBA season as ABC/ESPN's lead announcer. He is being replaced by Mike Breen.
Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Michaels will produce many more returns than a lucky rabbit. Good move for NBC.
I try to listen to the Pats on the radio. I just can't stand most of the national broadcasters.
The Oswald sale was the clincher!!
Like these guys --
Games like the Packers vs. Ravens in December didn't help either.
I won't miss the Bochephus introduction, however. That was getting stale.
First rule for the Theesman drinking game: whenever Theesman says an interception was not the QB's fault, drink. IMHO that's one of his most irritating habbits, the only good part about Paul is he would point out the times the QB threw to an area with 4 guys wearing the other jersey and with no one in his face.
As long as Madden is there I won't watch,blah blah blah!!!!
I was wondering who they were going to pair with Madden. I guess they didn't like any of the younger talent out there.
You know I have usually skipped the Sunday night games in the past because I figured "I've had enough football today." I'd tell myself I can watch the Monday night game. But with Theisman on Monday night, I'll probably blow off Mondays in favor of another game on Sunday. The Michaels/Madden team don't set my nerves jangeling the way Joe Theisman does. (What is ESPN thinking anyway?) And, the 8pm start time is lots better than the Monday 9 pm.
I hope the NFL and Burger King didn't sign a multi year deal.
Hopefully Kornheiser will do most of the talking.
I think the 9:00 ET wasn't helping their ratings.
Or at the very least point out when the nearest teammate of the QBs to the pass was the waterboy.
I wonder if he ever blamed any of the Hogs for one of his INT's?
So long, Ozzie - we hardly knew ye...
That's almost as creepy as the Burger King guy.
Thiesman is light years ahead of Jack Buck!
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