CBS yesterday announced that Marv Albert has joined the net as an NFL announcer. Albert will continue in his role as TNT's lead NBA announcer and also will serve as an announcer for CBS’ and Turner’s coverage of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament (CBS). On Long Island, Neil Best notes in order to make time in his schedule, Albert “no longer will call Nets games for YES after doing so since 2005.” He “already had cut back to about 25 games per season, with Ian Eagle working 50 or so.” Albert “called NFL games for Westwood One radio from 2002-09, but he has not called the sport on TV since NBC’s final season with the AFC package” in ’97. Albert said the idea to call NFL games for CBS “came out of nowhere” during the NCAA tournament. He “will call NBA games on Thursdays and the NFL on Sundays” when both sports are in season. Best notes CBS NFL announcer Jim Nantz is “expected to stay on CBS’ No. 1 team with Phil Simms.” The net “did not say which analyst it will pair with Albert, who said he has been promised ‘significant games,’ nor specify his place on the depth chart” (NEWSDAY, 6/7). USA TODAY’s Michael Hiestand notes Albert “replaces Gus Johnson, who has moved to Fox for college football and basketball” (USA TODAY, 6/7). In N.Y., Richard Sandmoir notes Albert “called NFL games with partners like Cris Collinsworth, Bill Parcells and Paul Maguire” during his 19-year tenure at NBC Sports (N.Y. TIMES, 6/7).
