Al Michaels | Enduring Excellence Conversation

Описание: What allowed Al Michaels allowed to remain trusted and motivated through seismic changes in media, technology, and audience expectations? In this Enduring Excellence conversation with Tyler Mathisen, Al draws on his experience navigating some of the most iconic events in sports history, he will offer rare insight into how individuals continue to evolve while staying true to their craft.

Key Questions This Video Explores:
• Looking back on some of the most iconic moments in sports history, what did those experiences teach you about preparation, credibility, and composure?
• How do you stay motivated and curious over a long career, especially through periods of disruption or reinvention?
• How can today’s journalists, storytellers, and leaders build trust in an era of constant information—and misinformation?
• What does it mean to “stay true to your craft” when the definition of that craft keeps changing?

About the Speaker:
Al Michaels is one of the most accomplished and enduring voices in American sports broadcasting, with more than five decades in network television. He currently serves as the play-by-play announcer for Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime Video and holds an emeritus role with NBC Sports. Over the course of his career, Michaels has been the signature voice of the NFL on Monday Night Football and Sunday Night Football, while also calling some of the most iconic moments in sports history, including the 1980 Olympic “Miracle on Ice” and the 1989 World Series.

Renowned for his meticulous preparation, sharp instincts, and steady presence in the sport’s biggest moments, Michaels has set the gold standard for excellence in play-by-play broadcasting. His career reflects not only extraordinary achievement, but a rare ability to sustain peak performance over decades at the highest level.

Chapters:
00:00 — Introduction with Al Michaels
04:55 — What is Al Michael’s prediction for the 2026 Super Bowl?
07:40 — How Al’s passions connect to his childhood dreams
10:55 — Inspiring change: what sparked Al’s passion for broadcasting
12:40 — Sustaining excellence across a long career
16:38 — From Al’s first broadcast to today
19:25 — Who and what inspires Al
22:00 — Choosing between football and baseball
23:49 — Leadership isn’t always linear
25:41 — Preparation, perspective, and navigating misinformation
37:53 — “Do You Believe in Miracles?”
41:06 — World Series insights: inspiration and pivoting in moments of need
59:36 — Audience Q&A
01:00:48 — Closing remarks

This event with Al Michaels was part of our Enduring Excellence series between Tyler Mathisen of CNBC and a series of distinguished guests who have demonstrated excellence and longevity in their field. Learn more about Enduring Excellence here: https://graham.uchicago.edu/enduring-....

Learn more about all University of Chicago Graham School offerings and events here: https://graham.uchicago.edu/