When NBC Sports signed Mike Tirico in April it was "widely assumed and reported he would become the play-by-play voice" of the net's new five-game "Thursday Night Football" package, but Al Michaels will be on the call because the NFL "wants it that way," according to Bob Raissman of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS. NFL VP/Communications Brian McCarthy said, "They (Michaels and Collinsworth) are (NBC’s) number one team. So are (CBS’ Jim) Nantz and (Phil) Simms. We like the idea of having the same booth announcers from Sunday night and Sunday afternoon to carry over to Thursday." Raissman noted NBC when it won "TNF" rights "agreed (like incumbent CBS did when it inked its original 'TNF' deal in 2014) to use its No. 1 NFL team on the telecasts." However, sources said that after NBC signed Tirico, net execs "figured they had an extremely good shot at using him on 'TNF.'" This would "enable Michaels, 71, to concentrate solely on preparation for 'SNF' and not have such a quick turnaround." NBC made the case it was "bringing in Tirico, a high caliber, high quality" commentator, who was the voice of ESPN's "MNF" for 10 seasons. Sources said that the NFL "nixed the Tirico option" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/21).
