NBC Sports announced yesterday that Marv Albert will
work on its NBA telecasts despite being indicted on sexual
assault charges. In a statement, NBC said that Albert "has
vehemently denied all the serious allegations against him"
and that Albert "at no time was ever afforded any
opportunity to discuss the fact with police or prosecuting
attorneys. ... Given these facts, Marv will broadcast the
NBA Playoffs on NBC continuing this Saturday in Miami" (NBC
Sports). Albert also made a statement to the media in New
York in which he reiterated his innocence. Albert: "[A]ll
the charges against me are false and will be proven false in
a court of law" (Judy Battista, NEWSDAY, 5/23).
REAX: In Philadelphia, Bill Fleischman calls it "a rare
case of a television network not abandoning a star during a
personal crisis" (PHILA. DAILY NEWS, 5/23). Also in
Philadelphia, Mike Bruton gives "kudos to NBC Sports and MSG
Network for standing behind Albert." Bruton: "With NBC's
enormous resources and given the information its people were
able to glean from Albert, the network probably did enough
investigating to feel comfortable putting the sportscaster
back in front of the camera" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 5/23).
In N.Y., Bob Raissman calls NBC's decision "an unexpected
move" which "was based on Albert's -- and his attorney's --
unwavering claim of innocence." Raissman: "For NBC, this
kind of decision had to be unanimous. From the outside
looking in, it's a huge gamble. If Albert is not exonerated,
NBC will be embarrassed" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/23). In
Chicago, Jim O'Donnell calls NBC's move "a dramatic show of
a weird strain of corporate courage" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES,
5/23). In Tampa, Carter Gaddis writes that "people will
watch" Saturday's game because of Albert and "this is one of
the few things that could have forced [Michael] Jordan into
the background during the NBA playoffs. That never should
happen. Albert, the consummate professional, should know
one of the major sins a reporter or broadcaster can commit
is to overshadow the story he or she is assigned to cover"
(TAMPA TRIBUNE, 5/23). In Hartford, Dom Amore: "[I]t is
Albert's right to continue working -- but common sense
should have compelled him and the network to make a
different decision. ... The ratings Saturday will go through
the roof, but Michael Jordan and Pat Riley will cease to
exist" (HARTFORD COURANT, 5/23). USA TODAY's Rudy Martzke
writes NBC's decision "raised some eyebrows Thursday but
drew praise from TV sports officials" (USA TODAY, 5/23).
WHO MADE THE CALL? In Washington, Jay Mathews reports
NBC sources said the decision to keep Albert on the air "was
made by NBC President Bob Wright and NBC Sports President
Dick Ebersol, with the advice from NBA Commissioner David
Stern, one of Albert's longtime friends" (WASHINGTON POST,
5/23). Stern: "We volunteered to NBC that it was their
call. ... We made it clear that we would not at all be
troubled by his working because you are innocent until
proven guilty in this country" (PHILA. INQUIRER, 5/23).
