Turner Sports may be trading one Albert for another, with Kenny working its new NHL package and Marv retiring from its NBA coverage.
The New York Post reported Wednesday that Turner will hire Kenny Albert to serve as the voice of its NHL coverage, which begins next season. Albert could end up calling four of the next eight Stanley Cup finals — the three Turner will air under its new deal (2023, 2025 and 2027) and this year’s final on lame duck broadcast partner NBC.
Albert previously called Game 1 of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final for NBC when Mike Emrick was dealing with a personal issue.
News of Albert’s hiring comes on the same day the Post reported that his father, TNT NBA voice Marv Albert, could retire at the end of this year’s postseason. The elder Albert is approaching his 80th birthday and in the final year of his contract, though no decision has been reached.
Albert’s partner Chris Webber may also be on the way out, with the Post reporting that his return next season is “very much in question.” Turner officials were reportedly not pleased that Webber opted out of covering this year’s NCAA Tournament on what is being characterized as short notice.
Albert has been with Turner since 1999; Webber has been with Turner since retiring from the NBA in 2008.
