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Amazon Extends Kirk Herbstreit but Keeps an Escape Hatch for Bigger Names

The short, multi‑season deal secures Thursday Night Football continuity by giving Prime Video an option to replace Herbstreit if a higher‑profile candidate becomes available.

Overview

  • Multiple outlets reported Wednesday that Amazon agreed to a multi‑season, eight‑figure extension for Kirk Herbstreit that keeps him in the Thursday Night Football booth.
  • The contract is shorter and more flexible than Herbstreit’s original deal and explicitly allows Prime Video to exit if it can sign a top target such as Sean McVay.
  • Reports say the new deal pays more than $10 million per year and was structured to preserve Amazon’s ability to pursue marquee non‑traditional hires it has chased before.
  • Herbstreit’s ESPN agreement also expires after this college season and ESPN plans to wait until the season ends before addressing it, leaving his dual roles unresolved.
  • Amazon is also planning for play‑by‑play succession — Al Michaels remains on short deals and Ian Eagle is viewed as a potential long‑term replacement — a setup that keeps Prime Video stable now and flexible later.