KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: First a look back at CNN history.</s>CARL ROCHELLE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Marv Albert was a nationally recognized sportscaster for one of the television networks, well- known.</s>LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Damaging, often lurid testimony and the possibility of life behind bars apparently left Marv Albert seeking a plea bargain today. CNN's Carl Rochelle now tonight on the deal that may have saved Albert's life, but cost him his NBC career.</s>ROCHELLE (voice-over): A subdued Marv Albert finally threw in the towel Thursday, pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of assault and battery.</s>MARV ALBERT, FORMER NBC BROADCASTER: From my point of view, I felt that I had to end this ordeal for myself, my wonderful family, my fiance Heather.</s>ROCHELLE: Albert could get a year in jail and a $2500 fine when sentenced next month. In exchange for the guilty plea, the Arlington County prosecutor agreed to drop the more serious charge of forced oral sodomy, a felony, which could have resulted in a life sentence.</s>ROCHELLE: I have never seen quite so much of a media frenzy for someone who is not a major politician of someone around this area, but it really did. Arlington is not in the heart of downtown D.C. At any given time, there would be a half a dozen satellite trucks, there would be a dozen or more camera crews gathered outside. Within just a few moments after him taking the plea, NBC fired him from the job.</s>ALBERT: It has been a trying day, and I want to spend the rest of the day with my family.
CNN 20: Marv Albert Pleads Guilty, September 25, 1997