Al Michaels has an estimated net worth of $40 million. The American television broadcaster has built his fortune through a career spanning more than six decades, becoming one of the most recognizable voices in American sports.
Michaels is best known for his NFL play-by-play work, including a nearly 20-year run on Monday Night Football. However, his career has covered baseball, basketball, hockey, football and the Olympic Games.
His broadcasting career has also been defined by some of the most memorable moments in sports television history. He delivered the famous “Do you believe in miracles?!?!” call during the 1980 Winter Olympics when the United States hockey team defeated the Soviet Union.
He was also on air when an earthquake interrupted Game 3 of the 1989 World Series in San Francisco.
| Al Michaels Net Worth | $40 Million |
| Date of Birth | November 12, 1944 |
| Place of Birth | Brooklyn, New York |
Al Michaels Salary
Al Michaels has been among the highest-paid sports broadcasters in the United States.
While working at NBC, his reported annual salary was around $8 million.
His move to Amazon in 2022 resulted in an even larger contract. Michaels signed a three-year deal reportedly worth $33 million to become a lead voice for Thursday Night Football.
The contract put his annual compensation at roughly $11 million before taxes and other expenses.
His salary reflects the value networks have placed on his experience, recognizable voice and ability to handle major live sporting events.
Early Life
Al Michaels was born on November 12, 1944, in Brooklyn, New York.
He is the son of Jay Leonard Michaels and Lila Roginsky.
Michaels grew up as a passionate Brooklyn Dodgers fan. His family moved to Los Angeles in 1958, the same year the Dodgers relocated from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.
He later attended Arizona State University, where he studied radio and television and minored in journalism.
While at university, Michaels worked as a sports writer for The State Press, the school’s independent student newspaper.
He also announced Sun Devils football, basketball and baseball games for the campus radio station.
His younger brother, David Michaels, also went into television production and worked on major sports broadcasts, including Olympic Games coverage.
Al Michaels’ Early Broadcasting Career
Michaels’ first television job was with Chuck Barris Productions, where he selected women to appear on The Dating Game.
His first sports-related position came in 1964 when he worked in public relations for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The job was short-lived, however, as he was fired after only four games.
Michaels moved to Hawaii in 1968 and restarted his broadcasting career.
He worked as a sports anchor for KHVT-TV and called play-by-play for the Hawaii Islanders baseball team.
His work quickly earned recognition. In 1969, he was named Hawaii’s Sportscaster of the Year.
In 1970, Michaels also made a television appearance on Hawaii Five-O.
Rise to National Prominence
Michaels moved to Cincinnati in 1971 and became the play-by-play announcer for the Cincinnati Reds.
The following year, the Reds reached the World Series, giving Michaels an opportunity to cover baseball’s biggest stage for NBC Sports.
He also covered hockey at the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan.
In 1973, Michaels was brought in to replace NBC announcer Bill Enis, who had died from a heart attack at age 39.
Michaels later moved to the San Francisco Giants in 1974 and also covered basketball for UCLA.
He began calling regional games for CBS Sports in 1975.
In January 1977, Michaels joined ABC Sports, beginning a relationship with the network that would last nearly three decades.
Monday Night Football
Michaels became one of the defining voices of Monday Night Football.
During his time with ABC, he covered NFL games while also handling a wide range of other sports.
His assignments included Major League Baseball, college football, college basketball, hockey, track and field, golf, boxing, figure skating and cycling.
He also covered several Olympic Games.
Michaels eventually spent 20 seasons as the host of Monday Night Football, establishing himself as one of the most respected play-by-play broadcasters in American sports.
The Miracle on Ice Call
One of Michaels’ most famous moments came at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York.
The United States men’s hockey team faced the heavily favored Soviet Union in what became known as the “Miracle on Ice.”
As the United States secured a stunning victory, Michaels delivered his now-iconic question:
“Do you believe in miracles?!”
The call became one of the most famous lines in sports broadcasting history.
It helped turn Michaels into a household name far beyond the world of sports.
1989 World Series Earthquake
Another defining moment in Michaels’ career came during the 1989 World Series.
ABC was broadcasting Game 3 between the San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics when the Loma Prieta earthquake struck on October 17, 1989.
The earthquake hit at approximately 5:04 p.m. local time, just before the game was scheduled to begin.
Michaels was broadcasting live when the network transmission was interrupted.
After the audio connection was restored, he continued reporting from the ABC Sports production truck outside Candlestick Park.
His coverage earned him an Emmy nomination for news broadcasting and demonstrated his ability to handle breaking news under extraordinary circumstances.
Move to NBC
In 2006, Michaels left ABC after nearly three decades with the network.
NBC announced that he would join the network and work alongside legendary coach and broadcaster John Madden on Sunday Night Football.
The move ended Michaels’ 20-year run on Monday Night Football.
Michaels and Madden began their NBC tenure in August 2006.
On February 1, 2009, Michaels called his first Super Bowl for NBC.
He also served as NBC’s daytime host for the 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016 Olympic Games.
Move to Amazon
Michaels continued working at the highest level of sports broadcasting into his late 70s.
In March 2022, he signed a three-year, $33 million contract with Amazon to broadcast Thursday Night Football.
The agreement reportedly paid him about $11 million per year.
The deal demonstrated the continued demand for Michaels’ services even after decades in the broadcasting industry.
His move to Amazon also marked an important shift as major sports broadcasting rights increasingly moved from traditional television networks to streaming platforms.
Al Michaels’ Awards and Accolades
Michaels has received numerous awards throughout his career.
He has won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Sports Personality, Play-by-Play Host, five times.
He has also been named National Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association three times.
He was inducted into the organization’s Hall of Fame in 1998.
In 2004, Michaels received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 2013, he was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.
The same year, he received the Pete Rozelle Radio & Television Award from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The award recognizes individuals who have made exceptional long-term contributions to professional football broadcasting.
Al Michaels’ Personal Life
Michaels married his wife, Linda, in August 1966.
The couple has two children, Jennifer and Steven.
They have lived in Los Angeles for many years.
Their son, Steven Michaels, followed his father into the entertainment industry and became president and CEO of Asylum Entertainment, an independent film and television company based in Los Angeles.
Al Michaels’ Legal Issue
In April 2013, Michaels was arrested and charged with driving under the influence.
He was released after approximately five hours.
He later pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of reckless driving.
Michaels was sentenced to probation and 80 hours of community service.
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