Legendary NBA play-by-play host Marv Albert will not take part in TNT’s policy for the league reboot in Orlando next month, Albert told the New York Post to Andrew Marchand.
Albert, 79, is TNT’s lead gaming voice and was excited at the possibility of competing on the spot, according to Marchand. However, a recent increase in COVID-19’s positive testing played a role in Albert’s final decision.
Albert the Post that Jeff Zucker, president of WarnerMedia News, which oversees Turner Sports, talked about the decision.
“He said, ‘Maybe this is something you get into my age group,'” Albert said before showing some of his humor. “I would like to point out that 79 is the new 78.”
According to post, ESPN’s 86-year-old Hubie Brown may also not travel to Orlando for the resumption of the league.
Albert is expected to return to TNT policy next year. Long-standing broadcaster Kevin Harlan is recently TNT’s second-largest game-by-game host.
Beginning in 1967, Albert the Knicks’ regular game announcer on radio and television. He left this role after the 2004 season. He has been the main host of TNT play-by-play for the NBA since 1999.
The NBA season is scheduled to resume on July 30.