Amazon Locks In Kirk Herbstreit for Thursday Night Football, Maintains Escape Clause

Kirk Herbstreit claims ignorance of American politics, though corporate dynamics appear equally opaque to him.

Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reports that Amazon Prime Video and Herbstreit have agreed to an extension that would keep him in the Thursday Night Football booth beyond the 2026 season. Yet a significant condition applies.

The condition is substantial.

Per Marchand, Amazon has retained the right to terminate the deal if it successfully recruits a higher-profile replacement.

Essentially, Herbstreit has become Amazon’s contingency option — leverage to strengthen negotiations for whoever ultimately fills the role.

Amazon initially sought Rams coach Sean McVay in early 2022. McVay, fresh off a Super Bowl championship, declined to abandon postseason glory for a $20 million annual television contract. After a disappointing 2022 season, McVay’s availability resurfaced, but the position had already been awarded to Herbstreit.

This new agreement allows Amazon to manage Herbstreit on a year-to-year basis while pursuing McVay, Travis Kelce, Troy Aikman, Greg Olsen, or any other candidate whose attention is not divided between professional and college football.

Alternatively, Herbstreit may commit fully to the NFL by 2027. He enters the final year of his ESPN contract, and Marchand indicates ESPN plans to address his future only after the college football season concludes.

Consequently, the broadcaster balancing a full college schedule and a full NFL workload could end up with both roles, one, or neither by 2027. At the very least, a reduced workload might provide him time to contemplate why audiences would choose to boo Ted Cruz.

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