Albert Joins Turner Sports

Albert Joins TNT, TBS
The ex-NBC Announcer Begins April 2 On Turner Sports.

NEW YORK (AQB)--Marv Albert, in what he called "a major step forward," is returning to national television this spring as part of Turner Sports' NBA coverage on TNT and TBS Superstation.

"I'm obviously just thrilled about being able to work at Turner Sports and being able to be back doing television NBA on a national basis," Albert said in a Monday morning conference call before doing the 1 p.m. Piston-Knick game on MSG radio.

Albert, who signed a multiyear agreement with Turner Sports, will work six regular season games, with the first one being Friday, April 2, probably between the Lakers and the Suns at 10:30 p.m. EST. He may, though, do the earlier Pacers at Hornets contest at 8 p.m.

Albert, 58 years old, also will work the playoffs; however, his availability will depend on the success of the New York Knicks, whose games he broadcasts on MSG radio.

While Albert probably will work with analyst Reggie Theus, Turner Sports Executive Producer Mike Pearl said in the conference call that it is uncertain exactly who will be Albert's partner and that the former NBC announcer may work with several analysts.

"He joins Dick Stockton and Kevin Harlan as our main NBA announcers," Pearl said. "I think that makes as good a group of play-by-play announcers in any sport on any network."

The announcer hurt the most by Albert's arrival is Bob Neal, although Pearl said Neal "will have a role in the playoffs."

Pearl said Albert will do events other than the NBA, such as possibly boxing at the Goodwill Games and "other new programming inventory that comes up for us," which may be code for the new football league that Turner and NBC are devising.

Albert plans to do 25 NBA games next season. He's not starting until April this year because Turner Sports wanted to wait until after the NCAA Tournament is over.

"I was hoping all along that something would eventually take place," Albert said. "It's just wonderful that it happened at this point."

Albert's last national NBA telecast was the 1997 Finals with NBC, who fired Albert later that year after he pleaded guilty to biting a woman during a sexual encounter in a Virginia hotel room. Albert has fulfilled the terms of his probation, and his record has been cleared.

NBC Sports, where Albert was the top NBA play-by-play voice from 1990-97, said in a statement that it was happy Albert was coming back to national television.

"It will be great to see Marv return to television and work on the sport he loves. We're happy to have him back as part of the NBA family."

As for a possible return to the peacock network, NBC spokesman Ed Markey skirted the question.

"[NBC Sports chairman] Dick Ebersol has answered that question. We have no announcer openings at this time," Markey told ArmchairQB.com.

On Feb. 8, the USA Today quoted Ebersol as saying about Albert, "We have no major openings at this point. But should something open up, he'd be at the top of our list. He's paid his debt."

Monday's hiring is another step in Albert's attempt to return to national prominence and erase the public's memories of his much-publicized sex trial in 1997.

Public reaction to Albert's comeback has been favorable, especially in New York.

"I have always had a great relationship with the fans, and I just hope it stays like that," Albert said.

Pearl said that although he sees some negative comments, he expects the majority of the reaction from this move to be positive.

"You are never going to get into a situation where everyone is going to say, 'What a great decision,'" Pearl said. "We realize that going in, and we have confidence in what we've done."

"We think he's among the top play-by-play people in the business. We're always looking for top talent to support our broadcast. His name has been cleared by the courts, and he's taken very good care of his personal situation," Pearl explained.

He added that Turner had been following Albert's progress "professionally and in his personal life for the past six months or so, maybe even longer."

Albert, who called the past week "a whirlwind," credited a therapist for helping him through his mess.

"In the past, I didn't believe in that. [But] I found it was very, very helpful for me to get through the whole situation. I just feel better about myself.

"I think I'm a better person now, and I look at things a little bit differently."