Posted: July 28, 2012
The Phoenix Suns announce the hiring of long-time sports broadcaster, Steve Albert, as the club’s new television play-by-play announcer.
Albert will call the action during all Suns broadcasts on Fox Sports Arizona. The accomplished broadcaster joins the Suns following an extensive television and radio career, including 13 years as the voice of the New Jersey Nets, five years as the television play-by-play announcer for the Golden State Warriors and a season with the New Orleans Hornets.
Though well recognized in the sports world, Albert may be best known for his work as one of boxing’s top play-by-play announcers, having called some of the biggest fights in history, including both Evander Holyfield-Mike Tyson fights, during 24 years on the microphone for Showtime Championship Boxing.
“We are excited to attract someone with Steve’s broadcasting skills, versatility and experience to our organization,” said Suns President, Jason Rowley. “Steve’s dynamic personality will be a great addition to our broadcast team. His arrival comes at an ideal time, as our team on the court also transitions into a new and exciting era of Suns basketball.”
Albert has been a presence on both the national and New York sports landscapes for decades, having also done play-by-play for Major League Baseball’s New York Mets, pro football’s New York Jets and the National Hockey League’s New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils.
Albert began his broadcasting career while attending Kent State University, where he started as a part-time play-by-play announcer for the Springfield Kings of the American Hockey League. Albert received a Bachelor of Science degree in Telecommunications from Kent State, and then began announcing games for the Cleveland Crusaders of the World Hockey Association and hosting a pre-game show for the Cleveland Indians.
In 2007, Albert was inducted into the esteemed World Boxing Hall of Fame and also won the coveted Sam Taub Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism from the Boxing Writers Association of America. He was twice named Announcer of the Year by the International Boxing Federation.
Albert is the youngest of three sportscaster brothers, including brother, Marv, who is widely known for his work on Turner Sports.