Marv Albert, the voice of the Knicks and Rangers for decades, is leaving Madison Square Garden Network in a dispute over a contract extension, two television industry sources familiar with the issue confirmed this evening.

The Garden had no immediate comment and Albert, 62, could not be reached.

Albert's contract was due to end next month and two issues reportedly were sticking points: Money and ethics. One source said MSG attempted to include a clause that would limit his criticism of the teams. "He had a problem with that," said one executive who has worked with Albert. The two sides were also apart on salary.


http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/ny-spmarv0616,0,3314831.story?coll=ny-sports-headlines

Gosh I hate the Dolans...

marv is great, but i hope this opens the door for gus johnson. he's been under the radar but provides crazy excitement whenever he calls a game. if you guys watched the ncaa tournament, he did a fantastic job calling those games.

if marv is gone, then breen would be #1, and gus would get bumped up to #2 which is huge b/c breen also has ESPN commitments. i could see the nets try to get marv over on YES.

Yea this is bs, Marv is easily one of the best commentators ever.

Marv IS the voice of the knicks.

He may be a sick puppy with the ladies, but that just make him even cooler.

Dolan is an azzhole if he lets him go.

The Knicks need a good spank and a bite once in a while and whom better than Marv to do it.

Ratner should get him on the YES and let him call the Nets. Soon Dolan will diss SPiKe and he'll go watch the nets also.

This could also be Zeke's handiwork...

Marv is the voice of the knicks.. but i dont necisarily like him... i dont think he adds much interesting insight ever... Walt is the man tho, he cracks me up

not only was marv the voice of the knicks but he was the voice for 90's basketball as well.

memorable quotes:

" ewing shooting baseline.......YYYYESS!"

"starks go baseline...OOOOOHHHHHH... what a move by john starks!"

"houston for three..yes.. houston feeling it in the 4th quarter."

Posted by Chico:

Breen is such a kiss ass little pansy. i hate him. i hope msg's ratings plummet.

Hmmm. I have a different view on Breen. I think that he is very much like Marv in candor and objectiveness. He calls out players for stoopid mistakes.

MSG has crew has been one of the best around. Marv will be missed, but Breen should be up to the task.

Posted by LongIslandKnicksFan:

This is sickening. The Dolan's do not know how to run a successful franchise. I would love to hear Gus Johnson though as djsunyc said.

I second that...except the Gus Johnson part. His name to me is simultaneous with bad luck. Whenever I listen to his games on WFAN all I hear is "Off the front rim and out" when the Knicks shoot and he called the game 7 where the Heat beat the Knicks after the Brawl in 97.

I can't believe Marv is gone! He has been the Knicks since 67!!

Is it just me, or did Marv not even cover half the Knick games this year with all his other commitments. Breen will do a fine job.

Marv probably asked for a raise, Cablevision can't afford it right now, and they parted ways. Marv will land on his feet and we will survive.

We'll get to see and hear Marv plenty, just not always covering the Knicks.

Marv is a freak, but he is the voice of the Knicks.

PHuch Dolan and his bullcrap ways. Good for marv for not sucking up to Dolan. But one more time he alienates the fans.

I don't trust him and so long as he pulls the strings, Isiah will be doomed.