Good news for those of you who hate to listen to Tommy Smyth and his old onion bag. You won’t have to during the World Cup.
ESPN has announced that they will be using Ian Darke, Adrian Healey, Derek Rae and Martin Tyler to provide the play-by-play match commentary throughout the World Cup.
“The group of commentators we have assembled represents some of the finest English-language voices for televised soccer anywhere in the world,” Jed Drake, ESPN’s executive producer, 2010 FIFA World Cup, said in a statement. “They present the sport at its highest level, and their firsthand knowledge of the players who will compete in the FIFA World Cup will greatly inform fans and enhance how we present this global event in the United States.”
Now on one hand I applaud the move by ESPN. Here in the U.S. we get to hear knowledgeable announcers and commenter’s during the biggest soccer tournament in the world. That will make the 64 games more enjoyable to watch.
On the other hand the U.S. plays England in its first World Cup game. I don’t want neutral or English announcers for that game. I want J. P. Dellacamera, John Harkes and Alexi Lalas. For the U.S. games I want announcers who will kick every ball and cheer every goal.
What do you think of ESPN’s decision?
