Marv Albert

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Albert's broadcasting career began when he filled in for Marty Glickman on WCBS Radio for a game against the Celtics at the Boston Garden. Beginning in 1967, he served as the primary voice of the Knicks until 2004, when James L. Dolan terminated his contract following Albert's on-air criticism of the team's performance and due to salary concerns. During this era, Albert also called national games for NBC from 1990 to 2002, missing only the 1998, 1999, and 2000 Finals where Bob Costas substituted following Albert's arrest for sexual assault in 1997. Despite this controversy, he was rehired by NBC less than two years later. His signature style included simple variations of "Yes!" depending on the situation, rather than long phrases.

In Their Own Story

On January 27, 1963, a young Marv Albert stepped into the booth at WCBS Radio to call his first Knicks game against the Celtics in Boston, filling in for his mentor. Decades later, in April 2002, both Albert and color commentator Mike Fratello were injured in a limo accident in Trenton, New Jersey, sustaining facial lacerations and a concussion just days before the playoffs began. Bob Costas filled in for those games until Albert returned to call Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals between the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings. His final game called was Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Eastern Conference Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks, ending a career that spanned from his start as a ball boy to his official retirement announcement on May 17, 2021.

Reader's Guide

To understand Marv Albert's tenure with the Knicks, one must note he worked alongside his son, Kenny Albert, who became a part-time announcer for the team in 2009 when Mike Breen was unavailable. The source clarifies that Albert's most famous call is simply "Yes!" rendered in various volumes and lengths, not specific phrases like "He shoots, he scores!" His departure in 2004 was driven by James L. Dolan following on-air criticism of the team's play and high salary demands. Beyond the Knicks, Albert called nine NBA Finals, eight Super Bowls, and seven Stanley Cup Finals. He also hosted a basketball interview show on NBA TV and provided play-by-play for the NBA Live video game series from 2003 until NBA Live 10.

Did You Know?

• Marv Albert's family owned a grocery store on Brighton Beach Avenue known as Aufrichtig.
• He was fired by NBC in 1997 after pleading guilty to misdemeanor assault and battery charges, but was rehired less than two years later.
• Albert called every NBA Finals from 1990 to 2002 except for 1998, 1999, and 2000 due to his arrest.
• His son, Kenny Albert, replaced him as the radio voice of the New York Rangers in 2025-26, continuing a family legacy that included brothers Al and Steve.
• Albert sustained a concussion and sprained ankle in a limo accident on April 17, 2002, forcing Bob Costas to fill in for upcoming playoff games.