Marv Albert Might Retire, And Chris Webber May Be Out At TNT

Marv Albert may be headed for retirement, and Chris Webber may be headed for the unemployment line. So TNT’s top NBA broadcast team may have an entirely different look next season.

Let’s start with Albert. Per Andrew Marchand of the New York Post, Albert has not reached a decision regarding retirement — though many within the industry suspect that he will indeed retire.

Albert turns 80 next month and is in the final year of a five-year contract with Turner Sports. He is considered the greatest play-by-play man in pro basketball history.

Albert told Marchand in February that his career is “winding down.”

OK, on to Webber. The former NBA All-Star has been TNT’s No. 1 in-game analyst for the past several seasons, but a perceived disconnect with the audience may have Turner Sports looking for someone else to fill his chair.

“The feeling that Webber may not return has been building for a while,” Marchand wrote.

That feeling actually began when Webber worked NCAA Tournament games for Turner in March.

“Webber did not help himself — if he wishes to continue to call games — by informing Turner officials very late that he would not do the NCAA Tournament that took place in a ‘bubble’ format in Indianapolis,” Marchand wrote.

Should Webber not return, Marchand speculated, his role could go to former NBA star Grant Hill, who has risen through the ranks with his work on TNT and NBA TV, also operated by Turner Sports. Reggie Miller would be another candidate.

“If Albert does retire or leaves, Turner has Eagle, Kevin Harlan and Brian Anderson as play-by-players on staff,” Marchand wrote.