Brief
Kirk Herbstreit signs new Amazon Prime Thursday Night Football contract
The veteran ESPN analyst will remain on Amazon’s Thursday Night Football broadcasts under a deal worth eight figures annually, but Amazon can replace him if a preferred candidate emerges.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Kirk Herbstreit has agreed to a new contract with Amazon Prime Video to continue as the network’s Thursday Night Football analyst, according to a report by The Athletic cited by the New York Post.
What happened
The agreement, announced on September 30, covers several seasons and pays Herbstreit “over eight figures per year,” though it is shorter than his existing deal that expires at the end of the current season. The contract includes a “flexibility” clause that allows Amazon to move on from Herbstreit if a desired candidate becomes available.
What the reports add
The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand said the clause could be triggered by candidates such as Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, who Amazon reportedly tried to recruit before signing Herbstreit in 2022. Other possible replacements mentioned include Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who is expected to transition to broadcasting after retirement, and 49ers general manager John Lynch, whom Amazon showed interest in back in 2022.
What was said
Marchand told the New York Post that the flexibility clause “allows Amazon to move on from Herbstreit if a desired candidate becomes available.” No direct comment from Herbstreit or Amazon was included in the report.
How it came about
Herbstreit has been a mainstay on ESPN’s College GameDay for over three decades and has called NFL games alongside Chris Fowler. His previous Amazon deal, signed in 2022, coincided with a major broadcast shift that saw Fox acquire Tom Brady’s rights. The new contract follows ESPN’s recent signing of Joe Buck to a six‑year deal and ongoing negotiations with Pat McAfee and Troy Aikman, whose contracts also expire soon.
Key facts
- Kirk Herbstreit signed a new multi‑year Amazon Prime Video contract to stay as Thursday Night Football analyst. (nypost.com)
- The deal pays him over eight figures per year and includes a flexibility clause for Amazon to replace him. (nypost.com)
- Potential replacement candidates mentioned are Rams coach Sean McVay, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, and 49ers GM John Lynch. (nypost.com)
Sources
- [1] nypost.com — originally reported as “Kirk Herbstreit gets new ‘TNF’ contract amid uncertain ESPN future — with massive Sean McVay caveat”
