TNT has just signed Marv Albert to an eight-year contract as the lead play-by-play man for TNT's NBA games until 2015-16 season. According to Variety, Albert turned down a deal with ESPN, which offered a chance to call the NBA Finals.

The contract allows for Albert to continue to work the NBA post-season, which includes the Conference Finals, as well as the NBA All-Star Game and weekly regular-season games cablecast exclusively by TNT. The deal also requires Albert to do play-by-play for selected games on NBA TV.

TNT will host the NBA ALL-Star game on February 17th.