Marv Albert was indicted in Arlington, VA, on "charges
of assault and forcible sodomy," according to Jim Greenidge
of the BOSTON GLOBE. The indictment stems from a February
meeting at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Arlington, VA, with a
woman "whom Albert has know for 10 years" (BOSTON GLOBE,
5/21). Albert "is expected to appear before" a VA Circuit
Court Judge in Arlington next week for arraignment (Mike
Bruton, PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 5/21).
FROM ALBERT: Albert, in a statement released by NBC
Sports: "I categorically deny these charges and intend to
vigorously defend myself against these allegations" (NBC
Sports).
TV FUTURE: How the charges could affect Albert's
relationships with NBC Sports and the MSG Network "is still
unclear" (Michael Janofsky, N.Y. TIMES, 5/21). NBC Sports
issued a statement saying Albert "is a valued part of NBC
Sports," and USA TODAY's Rudy Martzke writes the network
"hasn't determined" whether he will work his next
assignment, which is scheduled to be the Bulls-Heat playoff
game on Saturday (USA TODAY, 5/21). In N.Y., Bill Hoffmann
writes that NBC execs "met behind closed doors for most of
yesterday to debate Albert's future without reaching a
decision." Several sources told Hoffmann that it was
"highly doubtful" Albert would work Saturday (N.Y. POST,
5/21). MSG Network declined comment on the incident (N.Y.
DAILY NEWS, 5/21). NEWSDAY's Steve Zipay writes Albert is
"facing charges that could ruin his hard-won national
reputation and multimillion-dollar career" (NEWSDAY, 5/21).
