Network free-for-Al
NBC, ESPN battle to land Michaels
Since Dick Ebersol inked John Madden last month for the Peacock's "Sunday Night Football" package, which debuts in 2006, inquiring minds are wondering what the NBC Sports boss' next move will be.
His EbNess has said he was interested in pursuing Al Michaels, Madden's ABC "Monday Night Football" booth mate. ABC Sports/ESPN boss George Bodenheimer made Madden an offer to join ESPN's "Monday Night Football" team (that package debuts in 2006, too), but the Big Man turned that offer down.
What's left of our brain tells us Mr. Bodenheimer likely has pitched Michaels on becoming his No. 1 NFL play-by-play man. This is a move with two faces. ESPN needs to save face after losing Madden, who was a member in good standing of the Disney/ABC/ESPN family. Bodenheimer also needs a marquee face for what clearly will be the most high-profile sports package ESPN has ever aired.
NBC is committed to paying Madden $24 million over six years. It is highly doubtful Ebersol is going to shell out that kind of moo-la-di to land Michaels. Especially when he will have to grease the palm of one Mr. Bob (Rapping Roberto) Costas.
You think Costas is going to tell Ebersol: "I know our cap number is low, but I'm a team player. Go right ahead and defer my salary a couple of years. Just make me a balloon payment in 2011."
Ah, not quite.
So it is safe to say ESPN will be willing to pay Michaels more than NBC would (a couple of reports put his ABC salary - MNF and NBA - at around $7 million per).
If that is the case, Michaels, who has spent nearly his entire career as a major player on network television, has a choice. He can make more money working an NFL package on cable TV (with no playoffs or Super Bowls included) or less doing NFL play-by-play for NBC, where he will also have a chance to call playoff games and two Super Bowls.
This is not an easy decision.
Say ESPN offers Michaels $2 million a year more than NBC. Michaels would have to leave $12 million on the table to work for Ebersol. Man, that's a lot of bread.
Anyway, if Michaels does decide to stay in the Disney family and go to ESPN, it would surprise no one if Ebersol teams Tom Hammond with Madden. Three reasons: 1) It would be an economical move. 2) Hammond's no-nonsense, focused style would give Madden plenty of room to do his thing (just like the Madden/Pat Summerall team). 3) Loyalty. Hammond already is the voice of NBC's football coverage (Arena and Notre Dame).
Other than Ebersol saying he has "interest" in Cris Collinsworth, mum has been the word on the Fox game and HBO studio analyst. Something must be percolating.
Before Ebersol signed Madden, Collinsworth was considered a double candidate (booth or studio) at NBC. Even with Madden in the fold, would Ebersol move Collinsworth into the booth as a play-by-play voice?
That all depends on what Michaels ultimately decides to do.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/footb ... 9247c.html
