Kirk Herbstreit agrees to new Amazon Prime Video contract with hidden clause

Andrew Gamble Fri, October 2, 2026 at 11:25 AM UTC

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Kirk Herbstreit is a major broadcaster in football (Image: Getty Images)

Kirk Herbstreit is poised to remain with Al Michaels in the Amazon Prime Video booth every Thursday - but with a significant caveat.

Herbstreit has emerged as one of sports broadcasting's most distinctive voices throughout his 30-year tenure as a college football and NFL analyst. He has established himself as a cornerstone of Prime Video's NFL programming, partnering with Michaels - who has faced calls to retire - to deliver prime-time matchups each week.

However, the 2026 season marked the conclusion of the 57-year-old's agreement with Prime, though he's now staying put. His fresh deal is briefer than the five-year contract that was set to expire, though the precise duration remains undisclosed.

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Nevertheless, Herbstreit will continue at Prime. His new arrangement spans multiple seasons and is said to exceed eight figures annually. Yet it remains uncertain how long he'll work alongside Michaels, as Amazon has structured its terms to provide flexibility to pursue a high-profile replacement should one emerge.

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay tops the network's priority list. Should McVay become obtainable, Amazon stands prepared to replace Herbstreit with the dynamic, Super Bowl-champion 40-year-old.

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Sean McVay is currently working for the Los Angeles Rams (Image: Getty Images)

Prime Video had attempted to bring McVay aboard before securing Herbstreit five years earlier. After the Rams' Super Bowl LVI victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, McVay entertained the possibility of transitioning to television as Amazon prepared an offer worth approximately $20 million annually.

Those discussions occurred during the groundbreaking NFL television offseason, which saw FOX secure Tom Brady with a 10-year, $375 million deal. McVay chose to remain as Rams coach, and the NFC West team continues to be among the leading NFC contenders pursuing Super Bowl glory.

Amazon's broadcasting booth might experience significant transformations if someone like McVay becomes accessible. Although the Rams head coach shares a close bond with Michaels, regularly sharing meals in Los Angeles, questions remain about how much longer the 81-year-old will extend his career.

Michaels moved to Amazon from NBC in 2022, inking a three-year deal valued at roughly $15 million annually. He is now operating under a year-to-year arrangement, with supporters increasingly calling for his retirement following several decades in broadcasting.

Amazon is already making preparations to recruit Michaels' replacement and views Ian Eagle as among the industry's finest talent. However, CBS shares that assessment, and the network has no plans to allow Eagle's departure, while his extensive history with his current employer could result in their continued partnership for years ahead.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”