The "people most interested" in giving Marv Albert an
opportunity to return to national TV "are those at Turner
Sports," according to Phil Mushnick of the N.Y. POST.
Mushnick writes that "in the coming weeks," Turner Sports
execs "will closely monitor public and advertiser response"
to Albert's return to MSG. Mushnick: "If the negative
reactions blow over -- and they should -- and if Albert
stays clean, expect him to be named TNT's lead NBA voice
early this fall" (Phil Mushnick, N.Y. POST, 7/17).
CHECKETTS TALKS STRAIGHT? In N.Y., Mark Kriegel writes
that the "single moment of high candor" at the MSG press
conference announcing Albert's return was when MSG President
Dave Checketts admitted that Albert's presence may boost
ratings and said, "I won't deny we made a business decision,
too" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/17). Phil Mushnick writes that
Checketts' candor "wins our admiration" (N.Y. POST, 7/17).
In Milwaukee, Michael Bauman gives Checketts "points for
honesty, although no points for anything else" (JOURNAL
SENTINEL, 7/17). But in Hartford, Jeff Goldberg writes that
if MSG brought Albert back for ratings, "then MSG is clearly
sending the wrong message" (HARTFORD COURANT, 7/17).
MORE REAX: In Denver, Bob Kravitz offers a point/
counterpoint on Albert's return, and writes that Albert has
"every right to return to work, and [MSG] has every right to
employ him" (DENVER POST, 7/17). In L.A., Tom Hoffarth
writes that MSG "was right to take him back" (L.A. DAILY
NEWS, 7/17). In Milwaukee, Bob Wolfley: "The lesson of the
Marv Albert case? If you are a celebrity in the field of
sports, have talent, have at least one powerful friend and
you screw up, don't worry. You'll get another chance"
(MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 7/17). In L.A., Larry Stewart
writes that Albert's "stock went up during the NBA
playoffs," as NBC's Bob Costas "didn't make viewers forget
Albert." Stewart: "He deserves another chance, and starting
out on a local basis in New York seems the way to go" (L.A.
TIMES, 7/17). In San Antonio, Kevin O'Keefe writes under
the header "Albert Hiring Another Affront To Women"
(EXPRESS-NEWS, 7/17). In N.J., Adrian Wojnarowski: "Thirty
years of sparkling work as a New York sportscaster should
give him the right to a second chance here." But he added,
"The national networks aren't going to touch him" (RECORD,
7/16). TV Guide's Greg Fagan, on Albert's reputation: "His
name has been dragged through the mud, but a lot of people's
names have been dragged through the mud in this modern media
environment. I think that he'll have to face that music
every night every time he goes on" ("Extra," 7/16).
