In Portland, Kerry Eggers profiled TNT's Marv Albert, a "national treasure" who at 74 is "still going strong." Albert is "entering his 18th season calling NBA games for TNT," and has "done just about everything through his 50-year career, but his heart is with pro basketball." Albert said of his family also working in the business, "We all annoy each other, basically. Al and Steve got interested in it because they saw how much I was enjoying it. At first, they worked for me in writing and production. As they progressed, they became very good at it. Then my son, Kenny, picked it up" (PORTLAND TRIBUNE, 11/5).
TOUGH TO SAY GOODBYE: Golf Channel's PGA Tour and Champions Tour play-by-play host Brian Hammons noted this week's Charles Schwab Cup Championship will be his "last event" at the net. After 21 years there, his contract "is not being renewed." Hammons: "The television industry is going through tough times right now. Many talented people are losing their jobs because of budget cuts. I just happen to be one of them. ... I will miss the people in the sport. Mostly, I will miss the people I worked with. The Golf Channel has been like family to me" (TWITDOC.com, 11/4).
MOVING ON: In L.A., Scott Wolf noted USC “decided at least two weeks ago it was not going to bring back Petros Papadakis to do the basketball PA this season at the Galen Center but didn't actually inform him” until Tuesday. It “would be naive to think the fact Papadakis has been critical” of AD Pat Haden on his radio show “is not a factor” (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 11/4).
THE REPLACEMENTS: In Boston, Chad Finn reports WEEI-AM "received approximately 200 applications for the opening on its Red Sox radio broadcast team, a spot that became available when Dave O'Brien moved over to NESN." The list of candidates "has been narrowed to five," including CSNNE's Lou Merloni. A partner for longtime Red Sox voice Joe Castiglione is "expected to be announced sometime before Thanksgiving" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/6).
NOTES: ESPN college basketball analyst Shane Battier “has left the network” after one year. THE BIG LEAD’s Jason McIntyre wrote the timing of his departure -- ESPN recently laid off 300 staffers -- “might sound fishy.” But sources said that there is “no story behind his exit.” Battier “is married and has two young children under the age of eight” (THEBIGLEAD.com, 11/4)....Former NHRA driver Tony Pedregon will provide the analysis and color commentary for Fox Sports’ TV coverage of the ‘16 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series (NHRA)....ESPNU and SEC Network announced six new analysts for the upcoming college basketball season. Glen Davis, Andrew DeClercq and John Pelphrey will appear on SEC Net, while Antawn Jamison, Jason Capel and Chris Spatola will joing ESPNU (ESPN)....In N.Y., Bob Raissman cited sources as saying that former MSG Knicks sideline reporter Tina Cervasio is "joining" One World Sports. Cervasio will "handle a variety of assignments for the global sports network," and will "make her debut Saturday" working the NASL semifinals (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 11/4).
