Al Michaels is a well-known American sportscaster, known for his work as a play-by-play commentator on television broadcasts of the NFL, MLB, NBA, and Olympics. With a career spanning over five decades, Michaels has become a household name for sports fans around the world. In this article, we will take a closer look at the life and career of Al Michaels.
| Quick Biography | |
|---|---|
| Full Names | Alan Richard Michaels |
| Parents | Jay Michaels, Lila Roginsky |
| Gender | Male |
| Born | 1944 (age 78 years), Brooklyn, New York, NY |
| Occupation | American sports commentator |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5′ 10″ |
| Spouse | Linda Anne Stamaton (m. 1966) |
Early Life and Education
Al Michaels was born on November 12, 1944, in Brooklyn, New York. His birth name is Alan Richard Michaels. He grew up in Brooklyn and attended Alexander Hamilton High School. Michaels showed a keen interest in sports from a young age and was an active participant in various sports such as basketball, baseball, and football.
After completing high school, Michaels went on to attend Arizona State University, where he continued his love for sports. He graduated in 1966 with a degree in radio and television.
Career Beginnings
Michaels began his career as a sports anchor and reporter for Hawaii’s KGMB-TV in 1968. In 1971, he moved to Los Angeles and started working for the ABC affiliate, KABC-TV. During his time at KABC-TV, Michaels covered several major sporting events, including the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan.
In 1977, Michaels got his first big break as a play-by-play announcer for ABC’s coverage of the NFL. He quickly became known for his distinctive voice and style of commentary, and his popularity continued to grow with each passing year.
Major Career Highlights
Over the years, Al Michaels has covered numerous major sporting events, including the Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals, and Olympic Games. Some of his most notable moments include the “Miracle on Ice” game at the 1980 Winter Olympics, where he famously exclaimed, “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!” as the U.S. hockey team defeated the heavily favored Soviet team.
Michaels also called the famous “Earthquake Game” during the 1989 World Series between the San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics, when an earthquake struck the Bay Area just as the game was getting underway.
In addition to his work as a sportscaster, Michaels has also made several cameo appearances in movies and TV shows, including “Jerry Maguire,” “BASEketball,” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.”
Personal Life
Al Michaels has been married twice in his life. He was first married to Linda Anne Stamaton, with whom he has two children. The couple divorced in 1997. Michaels then married his current wife, Linda Anne Michaels, in 1966, and they have been together ever since.
Michaels is known for his love of golf and is an avid player in his free time. He is also a big fan of horse racing and has been known to attend the Kentucky Derby on several occasions.
Height
Al Michaels is known for his tall stature, standing at 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) tall.
Al Michaels Net Worth
His net worth is estimated to be around $20 million, thanks to his long and successful career in sports broadcasting.
Conclusion
Al Michaels is a legendary figure in the world of sports broadcasting, known for his distinctive voice and commentary style. With a career spanning over five decades, he has become a fixture in the lives of sports fans around the world. Michaels’ many contributions to the world of sports have earned him numerous accolades and a place in the hearts of millions of fans.
Al Michaels FAQs
What is Al Michaels annual salary?
During his time at ABC, Michaels served as the play-by-play commentator for Monday Night Football. Later, he moved to NBC Sports where he announced Sunday Night Football from 2006 until 2021. In 2022, Michaels entered into a three-year agreement with Amazon to continue his play-by-play coverage for Thursday Night Football.
How many Super Bowls has Al Michaels called?
Al Michaels has an impressive career as a sportscaster. He has covered over 400 primetime NFL games in his over 40-year career, making him the commentator with the highest number of primetime sports events covered. He is also the only commentator to cover all four major U.S. sports championships: the Super Bowl (six times), World Series (eight times), NBA Finals (three times), and Stanley Cup Finals (two times).
Was Al Michaels ever a football player?
Michaels attended Alexander Hamilton High School in Los Angeles with Joel Siegel, Michele Lee, and Michelle Phillips. During his time there, he played football and baseball. After graduating in 1962, he attended Arizona State University, where he majored in radio and television and minored in journalism.