Longtime NBA play-by-play announcer Marv Albert has just reached an agreement with CBS to join the Peacock Network’s NFL coverage starting later this year. Of course, this, like all other football-related decisions, may ultimately prove pointless given the contentious lockout that’s still underway, but for the time being, everyone seems to be moving forward as if all will be resolved. Indianapolis is still making traffic arrangements for the Super Bowl. The New England Patriots are still practicing, even if it is without their coach, and now CBS has fortified its in-the-booth team. It seems everyone is ready for the season but the owners.
Far from a stranger to NFL coverage, Marv Albert called football games for NBC from 1977 until 1997 and later worked for Westwood One providing their radio coverage of Monday Night Football. Doing play-by-play on television may be the more coveted gig, but the true test of an announcer is whether or not he can set the scene without picture. Albert has successfully done that for years, but something tells me he’ll be happy once again having a live feed.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, terms of the deal have not been disclosed; so, there’s really no way of knowing whether CBS has an opt-out clause if the NFL season ends up being cancelled. I would imagine even if it does, it’ll be unlikely to use it. Football will return eventually, and when it does, CBS is going to want Marv Albert.
This whole thing just goes to show you if you’re good at your job, companies will overlook your personal life. When I was younger, I had a part-time job as a telemarketer. One of the guys who sat next to me was amazing at his job. He sold thousands of dollars worth of crap every shift, but he was late and disrespectful to the bosses every day. The other guy who sat next to me was miserable. He never sold anything. He was late once and got fired immediately. A decade and a half ago, Marv Albert was involved in a bizarre scandal where he bit a woman. Today, he’s employed by TNT and CBS. Those are the perks of being great at what you do. I’m not endorsing or complaining, just calling a fact a fact.
