Report: ESPN targeting major play-by-play voice to pair with Troy Aikman

ESPN already made a huge splash in the headlines this week with the way they lured away Troy Aikman away from his previous employer, Fox Sports. On Thursday, the Worldwide Leader in Sports made noise yet again, with the news emerging they are thinking about pursuing Al Michaels. According to Andrew Marchand of The New York Post, ESPN is considering engaging with Michaels about the play-by-play position on “Monday Night Football”.

The news about ESPN considering bringing back the popular play-by-play voice back to his original home comes right on the heels of news that Michaels is remarkably close to to a deal with Amazon Prime Video. So, the battle for his services could get real interesting, if ESPN does pursue him.

Amazon recently purchased the rights to “Thursday Night Football.” There are multiple reports out there that have indicated the company is extremely close to striking a deal with Michaels. He would serve as their play-by-play voice for Thursday Night Football. The good news for ESPN, is that Michaels loves Aikman and there have been reports that he was trying to persuade the Hall-of-Fame quarterback to potentially join him at Amazon.

It’ll certainly be interesting to see who wins the battle for Michaels‘ services. There is a completely fair question to ask here.

Al Michaels is currently 77 years old. Just how much longer will he want to perform his play-by-play duties? Surely, these will be questions asked by both Amazon and ESPN. Once he does decide to call it quits, there’s no question he will rest among some of the greatest to ever grace the microphone. It’s not easy talking all the time before a nationally televised audience and he makes it look rather effortless. In 2013, he won the prestigious Pete Rozelle Radio and Television Award, an award annually given by the Pro Football Hall of Fame for “long-time exceptional contributions to radio and television in professional football.”