JR Radcliffe

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Andrew Marchand, the senior sports media writer for the New York Post, wrote Tuesday that Turner broadcasting officials have discussed replacing NBA icon Marv Albert as the network's No. 1 play-by-play broadcaster ... and Milwaukee Brewers voice Brian Anderson tops the list of potential replacements.

Albert, 77, has been a five-decade staple calling NBA games and would still broadcast games through the final two years of his contract, expiring in 2020-21.

But if Turner does make a move to a new play-by-play man, Marchand offers a surprise potential replacement. Marchand cites sources familiar with Turner's thinking believing Anderson is the frontrunner to replace Albert as the No. 1 play-by-play man for the 2019-20 season.

Anderson, 47, has been the Brewers lead play-by-play television announcer since 2007, but he's also been able to spread his wings in other projects, and basketball features prominently on his resume. He began calling NCAA Tournament games in 2009 and added Big Ten Network games to his schedule in 2012. A former sideline reporter during San Antonio Spurs broadcasts, Anderson has been working NBA games for TNT since 2014, with the Brewers bringing in Wisconsin Badgers football and basketball play-by-play voice Matt Lepay as a substitute during Anderson's in-season scheduling conflicts.

Anderson, who also has a heavy golf background, has additionally become one of Turner's top baseball voices, during the MLB playoffs. He most recently called the 2018 American League Championship Series between the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros, and he also called the Red Sox-Yankees divisional series.

With the Brewers, Anderson has been on the mic for some of the most memorable moments in franchise history, perhaps none more than the 2008 home run hit by Ryan Braun in regular-season finale.

Milwaukee fans most recently heard Anderson call the game between the Marquette men's basketball team and University of Maryland, Baltimore County on Nov. 6 on Fox Sports 1.

For years, Brewers fans have fretted over Anderson leaving Milwaukee for a prominent national role, but his local and national work haven't proven to be mutually exclusive. He has continued to work the bulk of the Brewers schedule despite his contributions to national baseball and basketball telecasts.

Marchand points out that if Turner did promote Anderson, it would mean bypassing Kevin Harlan, the network's No. 2 play-by-play man behind Albert for years. Nationally known Ian Eagle also serves a prominent role during the NBA playoffs.

A Turner spokesman told Marchand said no decision has been made.