MSG Network rehired Marv Albert nearly 10 months after
the sportscaster resigned following a guilty plea to a
misdemeanor assault charge, according to Richard Sandomir of
the N.Y. TIMES. Albert will host "MSG SportsDesk," a
nightly news program, and do radio play-by-play on 40-50
Knicks games. He will make his "SportsDesk" debut on
Monday, September 14. At yesterday's press conference, MSG
President Dave Checketts said that Albert had been
"immensely loyal" to MSG, even after attaining a national
following, and it is "because of that we are standing here
and returning the favor. Loyalty means a lot here." When
asked if the notoriety surrounding Albert's trial "would
help the ratings" for MSG, Checketts said, "I won't deny we
made a business decision." Checketts, on Albert's "fitness"
to be rehired: "We were satisfied that this was the right
time." Sandomir writes that Albert "appeared serious and
humble in his first formal news conference" since the one in
May '97 at which he denounced the indictment against him.
Sandomir notes that Albert "now faces the task of
reestablishing his credibility." Albert: "I think I'll be
taken seriously in time. It's something I can't control."
As for returning to a national position, Albert recently
helped narrate the Bulls' championship video for NBA
Entertainment, but as for a return to NBC, NBC Sports
VP/Information Ed Markey said yesterday, "As of right now,
there is no movement to bring him back" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/16).
WORKING WAGE: Financial terms of the deal were not
disclosed, but NEWSDAY's Steve Zipay reports that Albert
signed a multiyear deal which "will be significantly less"
than the $2M he earned between NBC, MSG and his various
endorsements. MSG Senior VP/Corporate Communications Barry
Watkins said that MSG fielded "about 100 requests" for
Albert yesterday. Watkins: "Larry King, Letterman,
everybody. We're going to take it case-by-case, but we're
not going to go crazy." Albert: "There won't be a tour ...
I don't want to sell anything" (NEWSDAY, 7/16). DAILY
VARIETY's John Dempsey cites sources who put Albert's salary
at "low six-figures" (DAILY VARIETY, 7/16).
MARV SPEAK: Albert: "This is a day for me to look
forward and to turn the page on what has been a very
difficult time in my life. But before I do that I would
like to make something clear regarding the past, that what I
did was wrong. I hurt many people ... and for that I am
sorry." During a Q&A session, one questioner pushed Albert
about why he admitted remorse for his past transgression
during his statement. Albert: "Well, there was an admission
-- you know, I pleaded, uh, I did make some statements at
the time. I'm saying I'm wrong about certain parts of my
life, and I feel very bad about that." Checketts
interceded, "I think the only thing that matters here is the
truth. And the truth is that he is sorry now, and that's
why he's coming back" (MSG Network, 7/15).
EXTRA, EXTRA! The N.Y. tabloids all featured Albert on
the front page today, with the DAILY NEWS and NEWSDAY
reading "He's Back." The N.Y. POST header: "Marv Rehired as
MSG Network Decides He Has ... THE BITE STUFF" (THE DAILY).
