Ian Darke

Ian Darke (b. 1950) is an English association football and boxing commentator who currently works for BT Sport and ESPN. Darke was previously one of Sky's "Big Four" football commentators alongside Martin Tyler, Alan Parry and Rob Hawthorne. He was also the main commentator for Sky's big boxing fights and along with Jim Watt, covered some of the biggest fights involving British boxers.

Career

BBC Radio/Sky Sports

Darke worked for nearly ten years on BBC Radio covering boxing, athletics and football, before moving to Sky Sports in 1992 to commentate on the newly formed FA Premier League. He was the number two to lead commentator Martin Tyler and was the main commentator for Ford Monday Night Football.

In 1995, as Sky's boxing coverage expanded (to the point where the sport virtually disappeared from terrestrial screens), Darke switched permanently to be their main boxing commentator, his role on Monday Night Football being taken by Rob Hawthorne. He was one of the Sky commentators for Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson II, the fight known for being the one where Tyson bit off a piece of Holyfield's ear.[1]

Nearly ten years later, after boxing promoter Frank Warren took his fighters to ITV, Sky's boxing output was significantly reduced, freeing up Darke for a return to 'live' football (although he had commentated on matches for an international audience, and had been heard on Sky covering some Champions League matches). Darke commentated on matches such as the 2005 Champions League semi-final between Chelsea and Liverpool.

Darke enjoyed a prolific Sky Sports career with commentaries for Premier League, UEFA Champions League and Football League matches, as well as maintaining his boxing commitments.

ESPN

Cross – and Dempsey is denied again! And Donovan has scored! Oh, can you believe this! Go, go, USA! Certainly through! Oh, it's incredible!

“
”

Darke's call on ESPN during Landon Donovan's winning goal against Algeria in the 2010 World Cup group stage[2]

In 2010, Sky did not receive rights to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and Darke was hired to be an ESPN commentator for their coverage of the World Cup for the American market, and he became known to the American public as the commentator for Landon Donovan's last-second goal for the United States against Algeria that kept Team USA in the tournament.[3]

Rapinoe gets a cross in. In towards Wambach! Oh, can you believe this! Abby Wambach has saved the USA's life in this World Cup!

“
”

Darke's call on ESPN for Abby Wambach's tying goal against Brazil in the 2011 Women's World Cup quarterfinals[4]

Despite beginning the 2010-11 Premier League season with Sky in the UK, Darke was offered a three-year contract to join ESPN in the U.S. as their voice of the Premier League. He accepted the offer. Darke later expanded his duties to commentate on MLS games, the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where he was their lead commentator and called the final.[5]

Zusi to take it...And there! It's there! What about that! It's John Brooks! It's John Brooks! For the USA! Have they stolen it?

“
”

Darke's call on ESPN for John Brooks' winning goal against Ghana in the 2014 World Cup group stage[6]

Darke paired with Julie Foudy to lead ESPN's coverage of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup and commentated another American tournament-saving goal – Abby Wambach's last-second header against Brazil in the quarterfinals – before teaming with Taylor Twellman (for Team USA's games) and Steve McManaman (for other games, including those featuring England and the final between Germany and Argentina) during the 2014 World Cup.[7]

The fact that Darke has commentated enthusiastically for MLS and for both the US Men's and Women's National Teams has led The American Outlaws to create a chant named "Ian Darke, you are a Yank" and the Men in Blazers (Michael Davies and Roger Bennett) to name him "Sir Ian Darke".

ESPN Presentations
Event Broadcast Years
FIFA World Cup 2010, 2014
FIFA Confederations Cup 2013
Barclays Premier League 2010–2013
US Men's National Soccer Team Friendlies 2010–Present
US Women's National Soccer Team Friendlies 2011–Present

BT Sport

At the start of the 2013–14 Premier League season, Darke joined the BT Sport team as a commentator for English Premier League matches. He can also be heard on NBC Sports Network, as they use BT Sport feeds in their coverage.

Darke said on the Men in Blazers podcast on Grantland.com that one of the worst places to commentate from was Port Vale F.C.. He recalled calling a game at Vale Park during a rain storm from the roof of the stand. Darke equated the experience to "being on the deck of a ship in the middle of the Atlantic."

Premier League Productions

Darke has joined Premier League Productions for the 2014–15 season, commentating on live matches for the Premier League's international broadcast partners, the same productions which can also be heard on Sky's Saturday Night Football highlights program.

References

  1. ↑ The Sound and the Fury – Holyfield-Tyson II (WBA Heavyweight Championship), MGM Grand Garden Arena, June 28th, 1997 (Sky Sports broadcast) YouTube (produced by Sky Sports)
  2. ↑ 2010 FIFA World Cup Group C – United States 1–0 Algeria (Landon Donovan) YouTube (broadcast by ESPN)
  3. ↑ "Ian Darke". ESPN Media Zone. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  4. ↑ 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Quarterfinals – United States 2–2 Brazil (5–4 PSO – Abby Wambach) YouTube (broadcast by ESPN)
  5. ↑ "Ian Darke To Leave Sky Sports For ESPN". VitalFootball.co.uk. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  6. ↑ 2014 FIFA World Cup Group G – United States 2–1 Ghana (John Brooks) YouTube (broadcast by ESPN)
  7. ↑ "2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Commentators – ESPN MediaZone". Archived from the original on 24 June 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2013.

External links

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