View source for Marv Albert

{{Short description|American sportscaster (born 1941)}}
{{for|the American crime novelist|Marvin Albert}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| image              = Marv Albert in 2008.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| caption            = Albert calling a game for [[NBA on TNT|TNT]] in 2008
| name               = Marv Albert
| birth_name         = Marvin Philip Aufrichtig
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1941|6|12}}<ref>{{cite news |title= Today in history |publisher= [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date= June 12, 2014 |url= https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/today-history-24100059?singlePage=true |agency= [[Associated Press]]}}</ref>
| birth_place        = [[Brooklyn]], New York, U.S.
| years_active       = 1963–2021
| education          = [[Syracuse University]]<br />[[New York University]]
| spouses            = {{plainlist|
* Benita Oberlander
* Heather Faulkiner }}
| parents            = 
| children           = 4, including [[Kenny Albert|Kenny]]
| module             = {{infobox sports announcer details
| genre              = [[Play-by-play]]
| sport              = {{hlist|[[Basketball]]|[[American football]]|[[ice hockey]]|[[boxing]]}}}}
}}

'''Marv Albert''' (born '''Marvin Philip Aufrichtig'''; June 12, 1941) is an American former [[sportscaster]]. Honored for his work by the [[Basketball Hall of Fame]], he was commonly referred to as "the voice of basketball". From [[1967–68 NBA season|1967]] to [[2003–04 NBA season|2004]], he was also known as "the voice of the [[New York Knicks]]". Albert was best known nationally for his work as the lead announcer for both the [[NBA on NBC Sports|NBA on NBC]] and [[NBA on TNT|NBA]] games on [[TNT (American TV network)|TNT]]. In 2015, he was inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

In addition to working extensively in both professional and college basketball, he has experience calling a variety of other sports, such as American football, ice hockey, horse racing, boxing, and tennis. Albert has called the [[play-by-play]] of eight [[List of Super Bowl broadcasters|Super Bowls]], nine [[List of NBA Finals broadcasters|NBA Finals]], and seven [[Stanley Cup Final]]s. He has also called the [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon Tennis Championships]] for [[TNT Sports (United States)|TNT]] with [[Jim Courier]] and [[Mary Carillo]] and has worked as a co-host and reporter for two [[List of World Series broadcasters|World Series]] ([[1986 World Series|1986]] and [[1988 World Series|1988]]).

Albert hails from a family of broadcasters. His brothers, [[Al Albert (sportscaster)|Al]] and [[Steve Albert]], and a son, [[Kenny Albert|Kenny]], are also play-by-play sports commentators.

==Early life==
Albert was born to a Jewish family in [[Brooklyn]], New York City, where he went to [[Abraham Lincoln High School (Brooklyn, New York)|Abraham Lincoln High School]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corcoran |first=Tully |date= |title=KU attracts Brooklyn star |url=http://cjonline.com/stories/102607/haw_212251538.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302201448/http://cjonline.com/stories/102607/haw_212251538.shtml |archive-date=2016-03-02 |website=CJ Online |quote=Lincoln High School in Brooklyn, N.Y., [...] Marv Albert went there.}}</ref> His family members owned a grocery store on Brighton Beach Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets known as Aufrichtig. He attended [[Syracuse University]]'s [[Newhouse School of Public Communications]] from 1960 through 1963.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Katelyn |first1=Faubel |title=Sportscaster Marv Albert '63 visits Newhouse, discusses his love of broadcasting |url=https://newhouse.syr.edu/news-events/news/sportscaster-marv-albert-63-visits-newhouse-discusses-his-love-broadcasting |access-date=8 July 2020 |work=Newhouse School Syracuse University |date=September 17, 2014 |location=Syracuse, NY |language=en |archive-date=July 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709084405/https://newhouse.syr.edu/news-events/news/sportscaster-marv-albert-63-visits-newhouse-discusses-his-love-broadcasting |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1962, he served as the voice of the AAA [[Syracuse Chiefs]].<ref name="retired"/> He graduated from [[New York University]] in 1965.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cgi.cnnsi.com/turnersports/nba/announcers/albert/index.html/ |title= CNN/SI – Turner Sports – NBA – Marv Albert |access-date= 2008-09-15 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120212121546/http://cgi.cnnsi.com/turnersports/nba/announcers/albert/index.html/ |archive-date = 2012-02-12}}</ref>

==Broadcasting career==

===National Basketball Association===
After getting his start by being a ball boy for the [[New York Knicks]], Albert worked his first [[1962–63 New York Knicks season|Knicks]] game as a broadcaster on January 27, 1963, on [[WCBS (AM)|WCBS Radio]]. He was filling in for his mentor, [[Marty Glickman]], who was away in Europe. The game was against the [[1962–63 Boston Celtics season|Celtics]] at the [[Boston Garden]]. Beginning in [[1967–68 New York Knicks season|1967]] and lasting 37 years, Albert served as the voice of the New York Knicks on [[List of New York Knicks broadcasters|radio and television]] before being let go by [[James L. Dolan]], the chairman of the [[MSG Network]] and [[Cablevision]], after Albert criticized the team's poor play on-air in [[2003–04 New York Knicks season|2004]]. It was said {{by whom|date=April 2026}} that Albert's high salary was also a factor. His son, [[Kenny Albert]], has been a part-time play-by-play announcer for the Knicks since [[2009–10 New York Knicks season|2009]], filling in whenever the elder Albert's successor, [[Mike Breen]], is unavailable.

====NBC Sports====
Albert was the lead play-by-play announcer for the ''[[NBA on NBC]]'' for most of its run from [[1990–91 NBA season|1990]] to [[2001–02 NBA season|2002]], calling every NBA Finals during that timeframe except for [[1998 NBA Finals|1998]], [[1999 NBA Finals|1999]], and [[2000 NBA Finals|2000]], which were called by [[Bob Costas]] in the wake of Albert's arrest for [[sexual assault]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Janofsky |first=Michael |date=1997-09-26 |title=Marv Albert Pleads Guilty And Is Dismissed by NBC |language=en |work=[[New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/26/us/marv-albert-pleads-guilty-and-is-dismissed-by-nbc.html |access-date=2023-08-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Lowry |first1=Brian |last2=Corwin |first2=Miles |date=1997-09-26 |title=Marv Albert Pleads Guilty in Sex Case, Is Fired by NBC |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-sep-26-mn-36348-story.html |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Albert resumed his previous position for the [[2000–01 NBA season|2000–2001 season]] and called Game 4 of the [[2002 NBA Finals]], which was the final NBA telecast on NBC.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sandomir |first=Richard |date=1999-06-30 |title=PRO BASKETBALL; NBC Rehires Albert 2 Years After Firing Him (Published 1999) |language=en |work=[[New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/30/sports/pro-basketball-nbc-rehires-albert-2-years-after-firing-him.html |access-date=2023-08-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Albert back as NBC's lead announcer |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1999/12/15/albert-back-as-nbc-s-lead-announcer/ |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sandomir |first=Richard |date=1999-12-17 |title=TV SPORTS; Once Again, Albert Is at Top of His Game With the N.B.A. (Published 1999) |language=en |work=[[New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/17/sports/tv-sports-once-again-albert-is-at-top-of-his-game-with-the-nba.html |access-date=2023-08-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=Larry |date=2000-10-30 |title=It's a Full-Circle Journey for Albert |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-oct-30-ss-44359-story.html |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |language=en-US}}</ref> During his time on NBC, he continued as the lead play-by-play man for the [[New York Knicks]] on local [[MSG Network]] telecasts and began calling national games for [[TNT (American TV network)|TNT]] in 1999, as well.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Sandomir |first=Richard |date=1999-02-15 |title=PLUS: TELEVISION -- N.B.A.; Albert to Work For Turner Sports (Published 1999) |language=en |work=[[New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/15/sports/plus-television-nba-albert-to-work-for-turner-sports.html |access-date=2023-08-19}}</ref> When he regained the lead broadcaster position on NBC, he continued to call play-by-play for both networks until the end of NBC's coverage in 2002.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Sandomir |first1=Richard |last2=Wise |first2=Mike |date=2002-06-12 |title=PRO BASKETBALL; Final Buzzer For NBC and N.B.A. (Published 2002) |language=en |work=[[New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/12/sports/pro-basketball-final-buzzer-for-nbc-and-nba.html |access-date=2023-08-19}}</ref>

====TNT====
Albert continued to be the lead [[play-by-play]] announcer for NBA games on [[NBA on TNT|TNT]], a position he assumed in [[1999–2000 NBA season|1999]].<ref name=":0" /> Indeed, [[TNT Sports (United States)|TNT]] had become his primary commitment ever since his longtime employer NBC lost the NBA broadcasting rights in [[2001–02 NBA season|2002]] to [[NBA on ABC|ABC]] and [[NBA on ESPN|ESPN]], which may have played a role in his departure from the Knicks' broadcast booth.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Pickman|first=Ben|title=Report: Marv Albert Won't Call NBA Games On-Site in Restart|url=https://www.si.com/media/2020/06/30/marv-albert-tnt-coverage-nba-restart|access-date=2020-07-30|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=June 30, 2020 |language=en-us}}</ref> The Knicks reportedly wanted Albert to accept a salary commensurate with his reduced Knicks schedule but also weren't happy about Albert making what Knicks management felt were overly critical comments about their team despite their losing record.

In basketball, his most famous call is his simple "Yes!" for a basket, rendered in many variations of volume and length depending on the situation.

On April 17, 2002, shortly after calling a game between the [[2001–02 Indiana Pacers season|Indiana Pacers]] and [[2001–02 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia 76ers]] on TNT, both Albert and color commentator [[Mike Fratello]] were injured in a limo accident in [[Trenton, New Jersey]]. Albert sustained facial [[lacerations]], a [[concussion]], and a [[sprained ankle]]. The [[2002 NBA Playoffs]] was set to begin two days later, with Albert scheduled to call multiple games that week. [[Bob Costas]] filled in for those games, and Albert returned to call Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals between the [[2001–02 Dallas Mavericks season|Dallas Mavericks]] and [[2001–02 Sacramento Kings season|Sacramento Kings]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2002-04-19 |title=PRO BASKETBALL; Albert and Fratello Are Hurt In Early-Morning Car Crash (Published 2002) |work=The New York Times |language=en |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/19/sports/pro-basketball-albert-and-fratello-are-hurt-in-early-morning-car-crash.html |access-date=2023-08-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=Larry |date=2002-04-19 |title=A Bad Ride for Albert, Fratello |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-apr-19-sp-tvcol19-story.html |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=Larry |date=2002-05-03 |title=Walkin' and Rollin' to the Mike |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-may-03-sp-tvcol03-story.html |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

On May 15, 2021, it was reported that Albert had planned on retiring following the [[2021 NBA playoffs]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Marchand |last2= Mushnick |first1=Andrew |first2=Phil|date=May 15, 2021|title=Marv Albert retiring after NBA playoffs|url=https://nypost.com/2021/05/15/marv-albert-retiring-after-2021-nba-playoffs/|work=New York Post|location= |access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Casselberry|first=Ian|date=May 15, 2021|title=Marv Albert will reportedly retire after the NBA playoffs, ending nearly 60 years at the mic|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/turner/marv-albert-will-reportedly-retire-after-nba-playoffs-ending-nearly-60-year-career.html|work=Awful Announcing|location= |access-date=}}</ref> The news became official two days later.<ref name="retired">{{cite news |last1=Herbert |first1=Geoff |title=Syracuse alum Marv Albert retiring after nearly 60 years in sportscasting |url=https://www.syracuse.com/sports/2021/05/syracuse-alum-marv-albert-retiring-after-nearly-60-years-in-sportscasting.html |access-date=17 May 2021 |work=[[Syracuse Post-Standard]] |date=17 May 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Boren |first=Cindy |date=2021-05-17 |title=Marv Albert's final NBA broadcasts will be the Eastern Conference finals |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/05/17/marv-albert-retires/ |access-date=2023-08-19 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> His last game called was Game 6 of the [[2021 NBA playoffs#Eastern Conference Finals|2021 NBA Eastern Conference Finals]], between the [[2020–21 Milwaukee Bucks season|Milwaukee Bucks]] and [[2020–21 Atlanta Hawks season|Atlanta Hawks]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=McAllister |first=Mike |title=Marv Albert Calls Final Game of Legendary Broadcast Career |language=en |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |url=https://www.si.com/college/syracuse/basketball/marv-albert-calls-final-game-broadcasting-career |access-date=2023-08-19}}</ref>

====New Jersey Nets (YES)====
In [[2005–06 New Jersey Nets season|2005]], Albert officially became the lead play-by-play man for the [[New Jersey Nets]] franchise started calling their games on the [[YES Network]], often teaming with [[Brooklyn, New York|Brooklyn]] native and NBA veteran [[Mark Jackson (basketball)|Mark Jackson]].<ref>{{Cite news |title='Yes!' . . . Albert Signs a Deal to Call Games for the Nets |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2005/03/01/yes-albert-signs-a-deal-to-call-games-for-the-nets/cf339abc-71cb-498b-bb1c-6b7d2aba6013/ |access-date=2023-08-19 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2005-02-28 |title=Nets Get Albert for Next Season (Published 2005) |work=The New York Times |language=en |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/28/sports/basketball/nets-get-albert-for-next-season.html |access-date=2023-08-19}}</ref> With that, the Nets had employed all three Albert brothers during the franchise's history; Al started his broadcast career with the Nets during their [[American Basketball Association|ABA]] days, while Steve called Nets games during the late 1970s and 1980s. Beginning with the [[2008–09 New Jersey Nets season|2008–09 season]], he was also paired with his TNT broadcast colleague Mike Fratello on the YES Network. However, with the Nets' struggles in the [[2009–10 New Jersey Nets season|2009–10 season]], Nets management relegated him Albert to secondary play-by-play and was replaced by [[Ian Eagle]]. In 2011, Albert left the YES Network to join [[CBS Sports]] for NFL and NCAA tournament coverage.

====Other basketball-related ventures====
Albert hosts a basketball-focused interview [[The Marv Albert Show|show]] on [[NBA TV]], which also airs on YES.

Albert also hosted the ''[[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball Bloopers]]'' [[VHS]] tape by [[NBA Entertainment]] in 1988.

Since 2003, Albert has also been providing the play-by-play voice on the ''[[NBA Live]]'' video-game series from [[EA Sports]], a role he fulfilled until ''[[NBA Live 10]]''.

From 2011 to 2015, Albert announced [[NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship]] tournament games, the result of longtime tournament broadcaster [[CBS]] handing off some of its coverage to Turner Sports.

In February 2016, Albert and Turner Sports announced that he would no longer call NCAA Tournament basketball games, stating that calling four games in one day during the first round, and a total of six matches in three days during the first two rounds, was too much for his 74-year-old voice to handle. Albert said that he "felt it was the wiser move to go primarily NBA at this stage."<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newsday.com/sports/media/marv-albert-turner-agree-to-long-term-extension-j60123 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160212095303/http://www.newsday.com/sports/media/marv-albert-turner-agree-to-long-term-extension-1.11450869 | url-status=live | archive-date=February 12, 2016 | title=Marv Albert, Turner agree to long-term extension | newspaper=Newsday | date=February 9, 2016 | access-date=March 9, 2016}}</ref>

In 2022, Albert appeared in the ''Playoffs on NBA Lane'' short film alongside [[NBA on ESPN|ESPN]] sideline reporter [[Malika Andrews]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/news/easter-eggs-hiding-in-playoffs-on-nba-lane-film|title=Easter eggs hiding in 'Playoffs on NBA Lane' film|website=[[NBA.com]] |date=March 31, 2022|access-date=May 19, 2023}}</ref>

===Outside basketball===

====New York Rangers====
In addition to the Knicks, Albert had a lengthy tenure (beginning in [[1965–66 NHL season|1965]]) calling the games of another [[Madison Square Garden]] tenant, the [[New York Rangers]]. He handled the radio call of the Rangers' [[1994 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup-clinching victory in 1994]].

He also famously coined the nickname "Red Light" for radio analyst [[Sal Messina]], a former Rangers goaltender. His signature play-by-play phrase was "kick save and a beauty."

Over his years as the Rangers' broadcaster, Albert missed a large number of games for other commitments. Many other broadcasters filled in, including several who later served long stints for other NHL teams, including [[Howie Rose]], [[Mike Emrick]], and [[John Kelly (sportscaster)|John Kelly]], as well as Albert's brothers [[Al Albert (sportscaster)|Al]] and [[Steve Albert|Steve]]. It was his absence from Game 7 of the [[New York Rangers|Rangers]]–[[New Jersey Devils|Devils]] Eastern Conference Finals game that led to Rose's famed [[Stéphane Matteau|''Matteau, Matteau, Matteau'']] call.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kaplan |first=Dave |date=2019-02-08 |title=For Stephane Matteau, a Famous Goal Could Not Cover the Darkness (Published 2019) |language=en |work=[[New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/08/sports/hockey/stephane-matteau-rangers.html |access-date=2023-08-19}}</ref>

Albert left the Rangers after the [[1994–95 NHL season|1994–95 season]]. At the same time, Rose took the job as a play-by-play announcer of the [[New York Islanders]]. Albert's son, [[Kenny Albert|Kenny]], replaced him and had been the radio voice of the Rangers until being promoted to the television role for the [[2025-26 NHL season]]. Kenny also calls NHL and Olympic ice hockey for [[NBC Sports]] and has served as the national radio voice of the [[Stanley Cup Final]]s since 2016.

====New York Giants====
From [[1973 New York Giants season|1973]] to [[1976 New York Giants season|1976]], Albert called radio broadcasts of [[New York Giants]] football games, succeeding [[Marty Glickman]] after the latter started broadcasting for the [[New York Jets]].

====''Monday Night Football''====
Albert was also the lead play-by-play voice of the [[Westwood One (1976–2011)|Westwood One]] radio network's [[NFL on Westwood One|NFL coverage]] from the [[2002 NFL season|2002]] to the [[2009 NFL season|2009]] seasons,<ref name=NYT11>{{cite news|last1=Sandomir|first1=Richard|title=Marv Albert to Call N.F.L. Games for CBS|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/07/sports/football/marv-albert-to-call-nfl-games-for-cbs.html?ref=topics|access-date=15 March 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 6, 2011}}</ref> calling ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' as well as numerous [[NFL playoffs|playoff]] games and every [[Super Bowl]] from [[Super Bowl XXXVII|2003]] to [[Super Bowl XLIV|2010]]. On June 4, 2010, it was announced that Albert was leaving his ''NFL on Westwood One'' duties.<ref>{{cite web|title=Marv Albert leaves Westwood One football play-by-play gig|url=https://www.newsday.com/sports/media/marv-albert-leaves-westwood-one-football-play-by-play-gig-f27261|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316024923/http://www.newsday.com/sports/media/marv-albert-leaves-westwood-one-football-play-by-play-gig-1.1981392|url-status=live|archive-date=March 16, 2017|website=newsday.com|date=June 4, 2010 |publisher=Newsday|access-date=15 March 2017}}</ref> He was succeeded by [[Kevin Harlan]].

====''NFL on CBS''====
On June 6, 2011, it was announced Albert was joining [[CBS Sports]] to call play-by-play for ''[[NFL on CBS|The NFL on CBS]]''.<ref name=NYT11/><ref>{{cite web|last=Vanderberg|first=Marcus|title=Marv Albert Joins The NFL on CBS|url=https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/marv-albert-joins-the-nfl-on-cbs/|access-date=6 June 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610162959/http://www.mediabistro.com/sportsnewser/marv-albert-joins-the-nfl-on-cbs_b10181|archive-date=10 June 2011}}</ref> Albert was usually teamed with [[Rich Gannon]] on broadcasts.

On May 29, 2014, Albert stepped down from calling ''The NFL on CBS'' to focus more on his basketball duties for TNT and CBS.<ref>{{cite web|last=Yoder|first=Matt|title=Marv Albert stepping away from NFL on CBS to focus on basketball duties|date=29 May 2014|url=http://awfulannouncing.com/2014/marv-albert-stepping-away-from-nfl-on-cbs-to-focus-on-basketball-duties.html|access-date=29 May 2014}}</ref>

====Other network duties====
Other [[NBC Sports]] duties included play-by-play announcing for the [[NFL on NBC|NFL]] (by [[1983 NFL season|1983]], Albert was the No. 2 play-by-play man behind [[Dick Enberg]], usually alternating the secondary NFL role year to year with [[Don Criqui]]), [[College Basketball on NBC|college basketball]] (teaming with [[Bucky Waters]] on [[Big East Conference (1979–2013)#Men's basketball|Big East]]/[[Eastern College Athletic Conference|ECAC]] games), [[Thoroughbred Racing on NBC|horse racing]], [[Boxing on NBC|boxing]] (often working with [[Ferdie Pacheco]] and subsequently, [[Sugar Ray Leonard]] when NBC relaunched boxing under the ''[[Premier Boxing Champions]]'' umbrella),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://awfulannouncing.com/2015/marv-albert-sugar-ray-leonard-nbcs-boxing-announcing-team.html |title=Marv Albert and Sugar Ray Leonard are NBC's boxing announcing team|last1=Yoder|first1=Matt|date=9 February 2015|website=Awful Announcing}}</ref> [[NHL on NBC|NHL]] [[National Hockey League All-Star Game|All-Star Games]] (Albert called the NHL All-Star Game with [[John Davidson (ice hockey)|John Davidson]] on NBC from [[41st National Hockey League All-Star Game|1990]] to [[45th National Hockey League All-Star Game|1994]]), and [[Major League Baseball on NBC|Major League Baseball]], as well as hosting baseball [[Major League Baseball: An Inside Look|studio and pre-game shows]] (including NBC's coverage of the [[1986 World Series|1986]] and [[1988 World Series]] alongside Bob Costas). He also spent 13 years as the sports director of the network's flagship station, [[WNBC-TV]], in New York.

Albert also called regular-season and playoff NHL games for the syndicated [[NHL Network (1975 TV program)|NHL Network]] in the [[1976–77 NHL season|1976–77 season]], and, from 2000 to 2002, he helped call TNT's coverage of the [[Wimbledon Championships]] tennis tournament.

===In popular culture===
Albert made 53<ref>{{cite news |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |date=2015-04-30 |title=David Letterman by the Numbers: First Top 10 List, Most Frequent Guests, Who Was on His First Show |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/david-letterman-by-numbers-first-792550 |access-date=2024-09-30 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> guest appearances on [[David Letterman]]'s late-night talk show for [[Late Night with David Letterman|NBC]] and [[Late Show with David Letterman|CBS]]. Each time Albert appeared, he brought with him a group of clips featuring sports [[bloopers]] and outstanding plays, which he narrated and dubbed the "Albert Achievement Awards". The music accompanying the bloopers was "[[Twelfth Street Rag]]".

Albert was placed as No. 14 on [[David J. Halberstam]]'s list of Top 50 All-Time Network Television Sports Announcers on Yahoo! Sports.<ref>{{cite web|title=The top 50 network TV announcers of all time|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/top-50-network-tv-announcers-064900091--spt.html|access-date=2020-07-31|website=www.yahoo.com|date=January 30, 2009 |language=en-US}}</ref>

He appears on "[[Perfect Sense, Part II]]", on [[Roger Waters]]' 1992 album, ''[[Amused to Death]]'', commentating on a military attack in the manner of a sports report.

Albert's voice is imitated in the popular video game ''[[NBA Jam (1993 video game)|NBA Jam]]''. The announcer was modeled on Albert, although there is no mention of Albert in the game and the announcer was actually voiced by Tim Kitzrow.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2000-02-16 |title=Breaking into the Industry: Tim Kitzrow |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/02/16/breaking-into-the-industry-tim-kitzrow |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>

[[Jack Black]] and his bandmate [[Kyle Gass]] derived the name of their band '[[Tenacious D]]' from a term used by Albert to describe the tenacious defense of the New York Knicks in 1994.

===Honors and awards===
*[[Cable ACE Award]] – six times.<ref name="NBANets">{{Cite web |title=Nets Broadcasters |url=http://www.nba.com/nets/game_night_experience/broadcasterbios_011011.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061031111630/http://www.nba.com/nets/game_night_experience/broadcasterbios_011011.html |archive-date=2006-10-31 |website=NBA.com}}</ref>
*[[Curt Gowdy Media Award]] – awarded by the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]], 1997.<ref name="Hoophall">{{Cite web |title=The Curt Gowdy Media Award(s) |url=https://www.hoophall.com/awards/curt-gowdy-media-awards/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Basketball Hall of Fame}}</ref>
*[[American Sportscasters Association]] Sportscaster of the Year (Play-by-Play) – 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Pictorial History of ASA |url=http://www.americansportscastersonline.com/photoalbum.html |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=American Sportscasters Association}}</ref>
*[[Emmy Award]] – for national sports: five times; for New York: three times.<ref name="NBANets" />
*[[National Jewish Museum Sports Hall of Fame]] – inducted in 1992.<ref name="JewishHall">{{Cite web |title=Inductee details: Marv Albert |url=http://www.jewishsports.org/jewishsports/detail.asp?sp=18 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928201456/http://www.jewishsports.org/jewishsports/detail.asp?sp=18 |archive-date=2011-09-28 |website=National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and Museum}}</ref>
*New York State Sportscaster of the Year – twenty times.<ref name="NBANets" /><ref name="JewishHall" />
*[[National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association]] Hall of Fame – inducted in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nssafame.com/2014/04/07/costas-elway-to-present-albert-reilly-for-hall-of-fame-induction/|title=Costas, Elway to Present Albert, Reilly for Hall of Fame Induction|publisher=nssafame.com|date=April 7, 2014|access-date=May 11, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023429/http://nssafame.com/2014/04/07/costas-elway-to-present-albert-reilly-for-hall-of-fame-induction/|archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref>
*[[WAER]] Hall of Fame – inducted in 2017.<ref>{{cite news |title=Three Top Broadcasters Earn WAER Hall of Fame Honors |url=https://news.syr.edu/blog/2017/09/15/three-top-broadcasters-earn-waer-hall-of-fame-honors/ |access-date=17 May 2021 |work=SU News |date=September 15, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ed Levine, Marv Albert Among New WAER Hall of Famers. |url=http://www.insideradio.com/free/ed-levine-marv-albert-among-new-waer-hall-of-famers/article_a58dc6f2-9995-11e7-b292-5bc1047c52a7.html |access-date=17 May 2021 |work=Insideradio.com |date=September 14, 2017 |language=en}}</ref>

==Sexual assault==
Albert was accused of sexually assaulting a 42-year-old woman in 1997.<ref name="Marv Albert Calls Accuser A Liar">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sABEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1359,1368910 |title=Marv Albert Calls Accuser A Liar |work=[[Durant Daily Democrat]] |date=7 November 1997 |access-date=30 October 2011}}</ref> The woman accused Albert of throwing her onto a bed, biting her, then forcing her to perform [[oral sex]] after a February 12, 1997 argument in his [[Pentagon City]] hotel room. DNA testing linked Albert to genetic material taken from the bite marks and from semen in her underwear.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/14927210.html?dids=14927210:14927210&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+21%2C+1997&author=Brooke+A.+Masters&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=Albert+Case+Merges+Sex%2C+Significance%3B+Lawyers+Expect+Trial+To+Look+at+Social+Issues&pqatl=google |title=Albert Case Merges Sex, Significance; Lawyers Expect Trial To Look at Social Issues |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=21 September 1997 |access-date=30 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107012454/https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/14927210.html?dids=14927210:14927210&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+21%2C+1997&author=Brooke+A.+Masters&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=Albert+Case+Merges+Sex%2C+Significance%3B+Lawyers+Expect+Trial+To+Look+at+Social+Issues&pqatl=google |archive-date=2012-11-07}}</ref> During the trial, another woman, Patricia Masden, testified that Albert had bitten her on two separate occasions, in Miami in 1993 and in Dallas in 1994, which she viewed as unwanted sexual advances.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/15425801.html?dids=15425801:15425801&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+25%2C+1997&author=Gary+Mihoces&pub=USA+TODAY&desc=New+witness%27+allegations+%27carbon+copy%2C%27+judge+says&pqatl=google |title=New witness' allegations 'carbon copy,' judge says |work=[[USA Today]] |date=25 September 1997 |access-date=30 October 2011 |first=Gary |last=Mihoces |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107012445/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/15425801.html?dids=15425801:15425801&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+25%2C+1997&author=Gary+Mihoces&pub=USA+TODAY&desc=New+witness%27+allegations+%27carbon+copy%2C%27+judge+says&pqatl=google |archive-date=2012-11-07}}</ref> Masden, a VIP liaison for [[Hyatt|Hyatt Hotels]], claimed that Albert called her to help him send a [[fax]] from his Dallas hotel room, where she found him wearing "white panties and [[garter]] belt".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=feIxAAAAIBAJ&pg=1582,5261707 |title=Surprise witness 'belts' Marv |work=[[Reading Eagle]] |date=25 September 1997 |access-date=30 October 2011}}</ref> Albert's defense team said that the judge blocked most of what they wanted to bring to trial in Albert's defense, prompting them to accept a plea deal from the prosecutors. Albert pleaded guilty to [[misdemeanor]] assault and [[Battery (crime)|battery]] charges, while a [[felony]] charge of forcible [[sodomy]] was dropped.<ref name="GuiltyPlea">{{Cite news |last=Janofsky |first=Michael |date=1997-09-26 |title=Marv Albert Pleads Guilty And Is Dismissed by NBC |language=en |work=[[New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/26/us/marv-albert-pleads-guilty-and-is-dismissed-by-nbc.html |access-date=2023-11-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110702225631/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/26/us/marv-albert-pleads-guilty-and-is-dismissed-by-nbc.html |archive-date=2011-07-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/almanac/video/1997/albert/albert.mov |title=CNNSI archive of video news coverage |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070605143121/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/almanac/video/1997/albert/albert.mov |archive-date=2007-06-05}}</ref> He was given a 12-month [[suspended sentence]].<ref name="autogenerated1">{{Cite web |date=2006-05-29 |title=Albert Receives a 12-Month Suspended Sentence |url=http://www.courttv.com/archive/casefiles/marv/marvalbert.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060530021403/http://www.courttv.com/archive/casefiles/marv/marvalbert.html |archive-date=2006-05-30 |website=Court TV News}}</ref> The conviction was expunged from his record a year later, in accordance with the terms of his sentencing.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/34964049.html?dids=34964049:34964049&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+09%2C+1998&author=Patricia+Davis&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=Marv+Albert's+Record+Cleared+in+Biting+Case%3B+Judge+Dismisses+Charge+a+Year+After+Trial&pqatl=google |title=Marv Albert's Record Cleared in Biting Case; Judge Dismisses Charge a Year After Trial |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=9 October 1998 |access-date=30 October 2011 |first=Patricia |last=Davis |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107012504/https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/34964049.html?dids=34964049:34964049&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+09%2C+1998&author=Patricia+Davis&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=Marv+Albert%27s+Record+Cleared+in+Biting+Case%3B+Judge+Dismisses+Charge+a+Year+After+Trial&pqatl=google |archive-date=2012-11-07}}</ref> In an interview with [[Barbara Walters]], Albert maintained that his accuser had requested he bite her. He also denied her accusation that he had requested she bring another man into their sexual affair. He described her recorded conversation with the police on the night of the incident as "an [[Academy Award]] performance".<ref name="Marv Albert Calls Accuser A Liar" />

[[NBC Sports|NBC]] – for which Albert worked for over 20 years – fired him hours after he entered his guilty plea.<ref name="GuiltyPlea" /> His last NFL broadcast for [[NFL on NBC|NBC]] before being fired was the 1997 [[1997 Baltimore Ravens season|Baltimore Ravens]]–[[1997 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] game alongside [[Randy Cross]] and [[Len Berman]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sandomir |first=Richard |date=1998-07-01 |title=TV SPORTS; After Decades of Words for Albert, Silence |language=en |work=[[New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/01/sports/tv-sports-after-decades-of-words-for-albert-silence.html |access-date=2023-11-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110702225641/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/01/sports/tv-sports-after-decades-of-words-for-albert-silence.html |archive-date=2011-07-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://8thgrademathfeldman.pbworks.com/w/page/86826805/1997%20NFL%20on%20NBC%20Schedule |title=1997 NFL on NBC Schedule |access-date=2023-11-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105084936/http://8thgrademathfeldman.pbworks.com/w/page/86826805/1997%20NFL%20on%20NBC%20Schedule |archive-date=2023-11-05}}</ref> [[Bob Costas]] took over for Albert on ''[[NBA on NBC]]'' in the [[1997–98 NBA season]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sandomir |first=Richard |date=1997-11-26 |title=BASKETBALL; Thomas Is Teamed With Costas on NBC (Published 1997) |language=en |work=[[New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/26/sports/basketball-thomas-is-teamed-with-costas-on-nbc.html |access-date=2023-08-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527070931/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/26/sports/basketball-thomas-is-teamed-with-costas-on-nbc.html |archive-date=2015-05-27}}</ref> [[Tom Hammond]] would eventually move up to the #2 team{{clarify|date=November 2023}} (behind [[Dick Enberg]], [[Paul Maguire]], and [[Phil Simms]]), while [[Dan Hicks (sportscaster)|Dan Hicks]] would primarily call games with Hammond's old partner, [[Jim Kelly]].{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}{{relevance inline|date=November 2023}} NBC rehired Albert less than two years after firing him, with Chairman of [[NBC Sports]] [[Dick Ebersol]] stating that, "Marv has done what he had to do" since being fired.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sandomir |first=Richard |date=1999-06-30 |title=PRO BASKETBALL; NBC Rehires Albert 2 Years After Firing Him |language=en |work=[[New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/30/sports/pro-basketball-nbc-rehires-albert-2-years-after-firing-him.html |access-date=2023-11-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123183455/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/30/sports/pro-basketball-nbc-rehires-albert-2-years-after-firing-him.html |archive-date=2010-11-23}}</ref>

==Broadcasting partners==
{{Div col|colwidth=12em}}
*[[John Andariese]]
*[[Butch Beard]]
*[[Bill Chadwick]]
*[[Chip Cipolla]]
*[[Doug Collins (basketball)|Doug Collins]]
*[[Cris Collinsworth]]<ref name=NYT11/>
*[[John Davidson (ice hockey)|John Davidson]]
*[[Boomer Esiason]]
*[[Mike Fratello]]
*[[Walt Frazier]]
*[[Rich Gannon]]
*[[Richie Guerin]]
*[[Matt Guokas]]
*[[Grant Hill]]
*[[Sam Huff]]
*[[Magic Johnson]]
*[[Steve "Snapper" Jones]]
*[[Steve Kerr]]
*[[Dick Lynch]]
*[[Al McGuire]]
*[[Paul Maguire]]<ref name=NYT11/>
*[[Kevin McHale (basketball)|Kevin McHale]]
*[[Sal Messina]]
*[[Reggie Miller]]
*[[Earl Monroe]]
*[[Ferdie Pacheco]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/obituaries/Ferdie-Pacheco-the-Fight-Doctor-and-Muhammad-Ali-s-physician-dead-at-89_162712822/ |title=Ferdie Pacheco, the 'Fight Doctor' and Muhammad Ali's physician, dead at 89 |work=Tampa Bay Times |last=Guzzo |first=Paul |date=November 17, 2017 |access-date=June 27, 2021 }}</ref>
*[[Bill Parcells]]<ref name=NYT11/>
*[[Cal Ramsey]]
*[[Bob Trumpy]]
*[[Jeff Van Gundy]]
*[[Bill Walton]]
*[[Bucky Waters]]
*[[Chris Webber]]
*[[Sam Wyche]]
{{Div col end}}

==Career timeline==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Network
|-
| 1967–1997 <br> 2000–2004 || [[New York Knicks]] || Play-by-play || [[MSG Network]]
|-
| 1969–1988 || ''[[College Basketball on NBC Sports|College Basketball on NBC]]'' || Play-by-play || [[NBC]]
|-
| 1973–1977 || [[New York Giants]] || Play-by-play (radio) || [[WBBR|WNEW]]
|-
| 1976–1977 || [[NHL Network (1975 TV program)|NHL Network]] || Play-by-play || [[Hughes Television Network|HTN]]
|-
| 1977–1997 || ''[[NFL on NBC]]'' || Play-by-play || rowspan="2"|NBC
|-
| 1979–1989 || ''[[Major League Baseball on NBC]]'' || Host <br/> Play-by-play (backup)
|-
| 1984–1990 || ''[[NBA on TBS]]'' || Play-by-play || [[TBS (American TV channel)|TBS]]
|-
| 1989–1994 || ''[[NHL on NBC]]'' || Play-by-play (lead) || rowspan="2"|NBC
|-
| 1990–1997 <br/> 2000–2002 || ''[[NBA on NBC]]'' || Play-by-play (lead)
|-
| 1999–2021 || ''[[NBA on TNT]]'' || Play-by-play (lead) || rowspan="2"|[[TNT (American TV network)|TNT]]
|-
| 2000–2002 || ''[[Tennis on TNT]]'' || Play-by-play
|-
| 2002–2009 || ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' || Play-by-play (radio) || [[Infinity Sports Network|CBS Sports Radio]]
|-
| 2005–2011 || [[New Jersey Nets]] || Play-by-play || [[YES Network]]
|-
| 2011–2015 || ''[[NCAA March Madness (TV program)|NCAA March Madness]]'' || Play-by-play || [[CBS]]/TNT/TBS
|-
| 2011–2014 || ''[[NFL on CBS]]'' || Play-by-play || [[CBS]]
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[https://anchor.fm/cuseconversations/episodes/YES--Recounting-the-career-of-Hall-of-Fame-Sportscaster-Marv-Albert-63-e1c87pt Albert on 'Cuse Conversations Podcast in 2021]
*{{IMDb name|id=0016548|name=Marv Albert}}
{{Navboxes|list1=
{{s-start}}
{{s-media}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Bob Wolff]] (in [[1961–62 NBA season|1962]])}} 
{{s-ttl|title=Lead play-by-play announcer, ''[[NBA on NBC]]''|years=[[1990-91 NBA season|1990]]–[[1996-97 NBA season|1997]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Bob Costas]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Bob Costas]]}} 
{{s-ttl|title=Lead play-by-play announcer, ''[[NBA on NBC]]''|years=[[2000-01 NBA season|2000]]–[[2001-02 NBA season|2002]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Mike Tirico]] (in 2025)}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Dick Stockton]]}} 
{{s-ttl|title=Play-by-play announcer, [[NBA Finals]]|years=[[1991 NBA Finals|1991]]–[[1997 NBA Finals|1997]]}} 
{{s-aft|after=[[Bob Costas]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Bob Costas]]}} 
{{s-ttl|title=Play-by-play announcer, [[NBA Finals]]|years=[[2001 NBA Finals|2001]]–[[2002 NBA Finals|2002]]}} 
{{s-aft|after=[[Brad Nessler]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Howard David]]}} 
{{s-ttl|title=''[[Monday Night Football]]'' national radio play-by-play announcer|years=[[2002 NFL season|2002]]–[[2009 NFL season|2009]]}} 
{{s-aft|after=[[Kevin Harlan]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Tim Ryan (sportscaster)|Tim Ryan]]}} 
{{s-ttl|title=[[Stanley Cup Final]] [[NHL Network (1975–79)|American]] network television play-by-play announcer|years=[[1976 Stanley Cup Final|1976]]<br>(with [[Ted Darling]]; Albert called Games 1, 3-4)}} 
{{s-aft|after=[[Dan Kelly (sportscaster)|Dan Kelly]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Tim Ryan (sportscaster)|Tim Ryan]] (in [[1974–75 NHL season|1975]])}}
{{s-ttl|title=Lead play-by-play announcer, ''[[NHL on NBC]]''|years=[[1989–90 NHL season|1990]]–[[1993–94 NHL season|1994]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Mike Emrick]] (in [[2005–06 NHL season|2005]])}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Bill Macatee]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=''[[Major League Baseball: An Inside Look]]'' host|years=[[1986 Major League Baseball season|1986]]–[[1989 Major League Baseball season|1989]]}}
{{s-aft|after=Last}}
{{s-end}}

{{Major League Baseball on NBC}}
{{NHL on NBC}}
{{NBA on NBC}}
{{The NHL Network (1975–79)}}
{{Yes Network}}
{{Curt Gowdy Media Award}}
{{New Jersey Nets}}
{{NBA on ABC}}
{{NBA on TNT}}
{{NBA on TBS}}
{{Thoroughbred Racing on NBC}}
{{NBA Radio Network}}
{{NBA on Mutual}}
}}
{{Portal bar|Sports}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Albert, Marv}}
[[Category:1941 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century American Jews]]
[[Category:21st-century American Jews]]
[[Category:Abraham Lincoln High School (Brooklyn) alumni]]
[[Category:American horse racing announcers]]
[[Category:American radio sports commentators]]
[[Category:American television sports commentators]]
[[Category:American boxing commentators]]
[[Category:College basketball announcers in the United States]]
[[Category:Jewish American sports commentators]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball broadcasters]]
[[Category:Minor League Baseball broadcasters]]
[[Category:NBA broadcasters]]
[[Category:National Hockey League broadcasters]]
[[Category:NBC Sports]]
[[Category:New Jersey Nets announcers]]
[[Category:New York Giants announcers]]
[[Category:New York Knicks announcers]]
[[Category:New York Rangers announcers]]
[[Category:New York (state) television reporters]]
[[Category:Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development alumni]]
[[Category:Olympic Games broadcasters]]
[[Category:Newhouse School of Public Communications alumni]]
[[Category:Mass media people from Brooklyn]]
[[Category:Television news anchors from New York City]]
[[Category:American tennis commentators]]