Marv Albert's future is widely debated this morning,
with many analysts commenting on whether he will ever be
able to return to sportscasting. Albert's spokesperson,
Howard Rubenstein, said that Albert, who made "about" $2M a
year, "had no job offers" after his relationship with MSG
and NBC ended yesterday (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 9/26).
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: Jeffrey Pollack, Publisher of THE
SPORTS BUSINESS DAILY: "If there's the proper amount of
contrition and some length of a sabbatical, there is the
possibility of a return to sportscasting." Advantage Int'l
Senior VP Tom George: "Albert is who he is because of his
platform with the Knicks. We don't have to have this guy"
(WASHINGTON POST, 9/26). In N.Y., Mike Lupica: "He can get
a second chance as a broadcaster. .. It would be a shame if
Albert didn't" (DAILY NEWS, 9/26). IF Enterprises President
Steve Herz: "While I wouldn't expect him to get to the level
where he was yesterday, this country loves to build up
heroes, destroy them, and bring them back. Look no further
than Richard Nixon" (DAILY NEWS, 9/26). The N.Y. Times' Ira
Berkow: "There is an aspect of forgiveness, especially in
the areas of entertainment, and Marv is an entertainer"
("LKL," 9/25). In Chicago, Jim O'Donnell: "[T]he feeling
persists that Albert will somehow, somewhere rise again to
an intermediate broadcast level, most likely operating out
of his New York base" (SUN-TIMES, 9/26). Albert has
endorsement deals with Nissan and Acclaim Videos. Burns
Sports Celebrity President Bob Williams: "He's dead in the
eye of advertisers. He's certainly dead in terms of
endorsements" (PHILA. INQUIRER, 9/26). Acclaim has not
decided whether to release, as planned, an NFL Quarterback
Club video that features Albert's voice (NEWSDAY, 9/26).
THE PEOPLE SPEAK: An ESPN SportsZone poll asked,
"Should Marv Albert be allowed to broadcast sporting
events." As of this morning, with 14,987 total votes cast,
52% said he should; 48% said he shouldn't (ESPN).
