For those of us in the UK, the dulcet tones of Henry Longhurst, Peter Alliss, Alex Hay, Ewen Murray and Bruce Critchley have been indelible parts of many legendary moments broadcast on British television, whether it be on the BBC or Sky Sports. 12. An Evening with Peter Alliss. Your email address will not be published. Yes!" "This is so, so, so, so sad. "High fly ball into right field, she is gone! When Maple Leaf Gardens opened in 1931, it came replete with a then-unheard-of broadcast booth, called a "broadcast gondola" specifically made for him by Toronto Maple Leafs owner Conn Smythe. She is the lead sideline reporter for Fox Sports' NFL broadcasting team. 9. Darke has a lot of experience, having covered big games like the FIFA World Cup final thrice as well as regular games in the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League on numerous occasions. This page is not available in other languages. Its not often that a football club has the words of a commentator spread across one of their stands, but thats exactly whatAston Villahave on their North Stand Brian Moores words to describe Peter Withes European Cup final winning goal to be exact,Shaw, Williams, prepared to venture down the left. And now the only question was, could he make it around the base paths unassisted." We know this for sure. Tyldesley is often seen commentating on Champions League games (he has covered the last seventeen finals) as well as important FA Cup matches. Lee interesting very interesting! He is particularly well known as the "Voice of Sevens". But these are who I believe to be the ten greatest British football commentators that have graced our TV screens. And so unnecessary." Fortunately, Davies was more than talented to cover other sports during his time at the BBC, including hockey, gymnastics, athletics, cycling, beach volleyball and badminton. In. Albert was fired by NBC after the arrest but rehired three years later. Pat Summerall, calling the 1998 NFC wild-card game, Born: Nov. 21, 1902 (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), Died: April 21, 1985 (age 82, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada). But when the legendary men behind the microphone turn a phrase fit to grace a great sporting moment, it can transcend the action itself. Twenty-four years later and Parry is still one of the main commentators for Sky Sports, covering seven League Cup finals in that time. Although he has worked extensively with BBC Radio and Sky Sports in the past, Darke has also been employed by ESPN. She is the lead sideline reporter for Fox Sports' NFL broadcasting team. Darren Fletcher BT Sport's main commentator for the last few years is one of the best around right now. Allis had a brilliant knack of describing the action in a down-to-earth, often humorous manner and, like the best commentators, always seemed to find the perfect, simple words at the right time. Barry Davies commentaries have given us some of the most memorable words in TV football history. Owner of stusfootballflashbacks.com, a nostalgic football blog with lists, facts & topics from the beautiful games past. Veteran BBC football commentator John Motson came top, with 30.6% of the poll, while former Australia cricketer Benaud (18.6%) narrowly claimed second place ahead of Formula 1's Murray Walker (18%) in third. He is one of the best that the game has had and his subtle, understated way of describing the action on the pick is often remembered by old-timers. Its a great run by Michael Owen and he might finish it off! His signature line whilst commentating was to simply say One-nil!whenever the first goal of a game was scored. That's because Walton overcame a debilitating stutter after his NBA career was over to become one of the preeminent NBA color analysts for most of the 1990s and 2000s. Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler accused of 'racist' comment about It's easy to see (and hear) why. Pat Summerall was a star kicker at the University of Arkansas before playing a decade in the NFL, where he even won an NFL championship with the Detroit Lions in 1952. Bob Costas, calling Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals, when the Bulls closed out the Jazz, Born: Sept. 24, 1921 (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), Died: June 7, 2008 (age 86, Monkton, Maryland). Born in 1932 in Kent, Moore covered nine FIFA World Cups and more than twenty Cup championship finals in his long career. We originally referred to Bjorge Lillelien as Bjorge Minge, which was subsequently corrected online. The arc and influence of his career is still felt in every sports broadcast we view today. Who makes our top five? Marv Albert's career was most closely associated with the NBA, where he served as the voice of the New York Knicks for 37 years after serving as the team's ballboy as a child. "Sky hook up. "The good news is that the best broadcaster in the game is Doris Burke. "Have you ever seen a defensive back with a good personality who was any good?" Costas worked for NBC for 40 years and won 29 Emmy Awards, and no game ever seemed too big for the Queens, New York, native. Scully stayed in that role until 2016, when he retired after 67 seasons. Al Michaels, making his famous call at the 1980 Winter Olympics, Bob Costas was only 22 years old when he caught his first break as the radio announcer for the St. Louis Spirits of the American Basketball Association. This week our attention turns off the pitch and we've chosen our favourite sporting commentators. To be given that 1995 final for the first time in his career was such an honour for Davies that he had his son, Mark, by his side for the whole commentary. Only in 2018 did Davies retire from sports commentary completely, after covering his 33rd consecutive Wimbledon tennis tournament. Hes never learned to type or use the Internet. Welcome to our Snooker Channel, where we bring you the best in snooker coverage and analysis! Over the course of an approximately 60-year career, he provided play-by-play of various sports for several .more 2 Al Michaels New York City, New York, United States of America 73 votes In a sport well known for prickly, sensitive players, Alliss earned acclaim for calling out players for what he thought was poor behavior, which didn't always make him the most popular guy in those circles. Sports commentator - Wikipedia "My wife grabbed me when we got out of church. Despite working at World Cup 1994 and Euro 96, Tyldesley only commentated on four live matches during his time at the BBC, due to the superiority of John Motson and Barry Davies. He initially wrote for publications such as the Dallas Times Herald and the Chicago Tribune was voted the Texas Sportswriter of the Year thrice. They are our eyes and ears in the ground. Hes synonymous with Champions League football in England. Most often his co-commentator would be eitherRon AtkinsonorKevin Keeganduring these times, who both complimented Moore perfectly, becoming the yangs to his ying. . Oh, it must be! The poet of football commentary. A spectacular move by Michael Jordan!" Champion has had a wide range of experience throughout his hallowed career, having spent time with BBC Sport, ITV Sport, Setalanta and ESPN, with the latter being his current employers. Peter Drury is perhaps the best football commentator in the Premier League at the moment. "They're all gone." Ronnie Radfords famous goal for Hereford gave Motson the platform to be heard by millions and showed he could be trusted by his BBC bosses with the big matches. There have been so many great football commentators on our screens over the last 70 years, but for me Barry Davies was the greatest of them all. The 5 Most Iconic Sports Commentators of All Time El Rey Pele!is how he responded to Peles opener, and when Carlos Alberto scored one of the special World Cup goals to make it 4-1,Its Carlos Alberto! "We will see you tomorrow night." Dick Enberg's epic career as a play-by-play man lasted a stunning 60 years and, to borrow one of his catchphrases, "touched 'em all" when it came to the sports he covered. Michelle Beadle is a sports reporter best known for her association with the popular cable sports channel, ESPN. Musburger's penchant for understanding the gravity of situations made him a welcome presence in the homes of sports fans for a long time the man invented the term "March Madness" for God's sake. And theyve every right to go mad! describing Geoff Astles controversial goal againstLeedsin 1971, where the referee overruled a linesmans flag. A sportscaster is a person who gives information and news about sports events on television or radio. Football Commentating Years On TV:1971-2018 (BBC). Then, he hit it big when NBC kingmaker Don Ohlmeyer hired him in 1980, famously saying the 28-year-old Costas "looked like a 14-year-old.". ", John Motson:"Oh that tackle was so hard it probably hurt his whole family. ", "This is going to be a long three minutes here." But it was football which was David Colemans first love, and he was always on hand with trivia and knowledge until his death in 2013. Allis may be best known now as an effortless commentator but he was a fine professional player before picking up the mic. Ian Darke, Born: Sept. 11, 1953 (Quincy, Massachusetts), Sports: NFL, college basketball, NBA, MLB, Olympics, Tennis, Horse Racing. Known for his use of popular catchphrases, such as stay off the weed and blasphemous, Smith has been playing a major role in the success of ESPN's First Take. His commentary style was so unique, using the less is more tactic to allow the viewer to watch the game in comfort which is also why he was so good at Tennis. Kevin Harlan can call any game doesn't matter the sport and make us happy. Over the years, she has hosted important shows for various networks, including ESPN. Your login session has expired. His brother Aaron Rodgers is a popular football quarterback. Before retiring from TV commentating in 2017, Motty worked for the BBC on 10 World Cups, 10 European Championships and 29 FA Cup finals. The 1986 World Cup in Mexico was the last time Moore presented tournament coverage and after flying out to work on the final, he concentrated solely on commentating for the last 12 years of his career. (30 April) as the two sides went head to head in the race for the top four. Like all these lists we have compiled so far, it was a tough job with many great commentators missing the cut. Kevin Harlan, Primary networks: CBS, ESPN, ABC, NBC, Pac-12 Network. Frank Gifford, Born: Feb. 25, 1940 (Wellsville, New York). The 28 best TV game analysts in sports, ranked Justin McGuire 28 slides Helping TV audiences make sense of the sports action unfolding before them isn't easy. He is respected and revered by most fans and players for his unbiased opinions and arguments. Sports: College football, college basketball, boxing, Primary networks: Fox Sports, Showtime, Big Ten Network, CBS. There's no doubt Walton will be the most controversial selection to this list because he infuriates fans as much as he entertains them. Who are the best F1 commentators in the world right now? Football Commentating Years On TV:1966-82 (ITV). 'Oh I say!' Exactly what the whole country was thinking. Oh no! after Gareth Southgate had missed his penalty in Euro 96. He led Eurosports commentary team for the 1990 World Cup in Italy, impressing so much that Sky used him for their Serie A coverage. You may not know the name but you definitely know the voice. Donovan Bailey, once the fastest man on earth, is a track and field legend having competed at world class level throughout the 1990s. Over the years, she has hosted important shows for various networks, including ESPN. Wolstenholme was the original TV football commentator. One of Corbyn's most trusted lieutenants, he is likely to become even more influential over the next twelve months as he starts drafting some firm policies. We already miss you, Clive. After retiring as a player, Cris Collinsworth became a sports broadcaster. Jacqui Oatley (BBC Sport) Oatley made history when she became the first female commentator on Match of the Day . Some say hes the greatest. Video, 00:00:41If we want the title, we have to beat Man City - Arteta. He began his broadcasting career in 2016. He was known as the voice of football and rightly so. After joining the academy process, he joined GMS permanently in 2016 moving from writer, to senior writer, football lead and now editor. Motsons voice has complemented many of footballs biggest moments over the past 30-plus years. He's become just as famous in the last decade-plus as the play-by-play announcer for the lead CBS NFL football game every week. Perhaps the greatest soccer commentator of all time, Brian Moore began his career in newspapers before moving to radio broadcasts for the BBC in 1961, then shot to fame as part of the broadcast team for England's 1966 World Cup victory. Scully began broadcasting for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950 and became the youngest person ever to do play-by-play in the World Series at 23 years old, which is a record that still stands to this day. Few have ever been better on the play-by-play side of things. Hewitt was the leading voice of Canadian hockey for 40 years and hosted Hockey Night in Canada for most of the 1950s and early 1960s as well. 1 Dick Enberg Michigan, USA, Mount Clemens 58 votes Richard Alan Enberg (January 9, 1935 - December 21, 2017) was an American sportscaster. Moore moved from radio to television as London Weekend Television became ITV and remained with the company for the next three decades. McKay also played studio host to the FIFA World Cup twice a testament to the respect he held on the international stage. ", Murray Walker: "Unless I am very much mistaken, I AM VERY MUCH MISTAKEN! Away from live matches, Brackley became one of the first commentators to lend his voice to a football video game, in the Pro Evolution Soccer series. Known as the other voice of the 1966 World Cup final, Hugh Johns ITV commentary of that match was unfortunately overshadowed by Kenneth Wolstenholmes famous line. Be the first one to comment on this story. First match included Tony Yeboahs wonder goal. UK News, Sport, Marcus Rashford . Enberg was great in whatever he covered, but what set him apart from his contemporaries was his ability to call sports outside the mainstream, most notably in tennis. This has been the case now for years. In 1977, he was also inducted into the Iowa Sports Hall of Fame. The Lancashire man has also lent his voice to several TV commercials and his standing in English football can never be questioned. His importance to the BBC was clear when after interest from rivals ITV, they gave him a 10,000 a year contract, making him the highest paid broadcaster in sports television. From the 1960s and 70s when live matches were only shown on BBC and ITV, to the present day where Sky has the bulk of modern day football, certain names never leave you. Following three years at ITV (where he covered the 1966 World Cup and the 1968 Olympic Games), Davies moved to the BBC and was installed as a Match Of The Day commentator after regular number one, David Coleman, had lost his voice. Id like to have a role like Jack Whitaker. His remarkable memory, opinionated manner and infectious enthusiasm, made him the face of the channels sport coverage for over 40 years. "Ive got the job I want. It was more than overdue for Davies to be given his chance, as he had been behind Motson in the pecking order for years. Rob is editor of GiveMeSport. GERALD SINSTADT A commentator, presenter, reporter, writer and narrator. The late, great, voice of cricket Richie Benaud once said that the art of commentating was not talking too much. Walker was voted the greatest sports commentator of all time in a poll conducted by British sports fans in late 2009 to underline just how much he was loved. That's why game analysts (the. Which is what a good color analyst should do. The 10 greatest bits of commentary ever | Sport | The Guardian The importance of a TV football commentator should not be underestimated. And frankly, who cares? Brian Moore was far better. He held 15 title belts in nine promotions during an illustrious career that spanned almost 30 years. Remembered for his enthusiastic and detailed description, Walker was able to make even some of the most uneventful races sound dramatic. He was replaced as the main football commentator by John Motson in 1979, but still continued to do live matches for another two years. 'Oh I say!' Your top commentators - BBC Sport He held the world record for the men's 100 metres at the . Hearn was the first broadcaster inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. So far Sportsmail's expert team have listed football's greatest wingers, hard men and FA Cup heroes - amongst others. He has admitted his big break came in 1972 when covering the FA Cup Replay between Hereford United and Newcastle United for Match of the Day when non-league Hereford caused a big upset and his iconic commentary of Ronnie Radfords famous goal that day was part of the main featured game on the programme. In 2007, he so nearly left to go to the doomed network, Setanta Sports, to commentate on their Premier League matches, but ended up signing a new contract with Sky. Known for his poetic style. Michelle Beadle is a sports reporter best known for her association with the popular cable sports channel, ESPN. The 10 Sport The 10 greatest bits of commentary ever Lee Honeyball Sat 5 Oct 2002 19.33 EDT 1 Said by When Lillelien's gloriously over-the-top response to Norway's unlikely victory over Ron. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Some City fans have . If you grew up watching baseball in the 1980s and 1990s, Caray's voice was as famous as any in the world of sports broadcasting thanks to his 16 years leading WGN broadcasts of Chicago Cubs games. The Best Sportscasters Of All Time - Ranker In 1992, Sky won the rights to the new Premier League and together with his co-commentator Andy Gray, Tyler spearheaded the coverage, which he still does to this day. These are the greatest sports announcers of all time. This footnote was added on Sunday June 1 2008. He once stacked his collected Picasso ceramics in Plexiglas under a plywood board and used it as a work desk. Despite being a former Liverpool player, he is unbiased when it comes to commentating on the Reds' games and his insights are often sought by many fans and pundits alike. Smith's style of commentary is understated and he likes to narrate things as they happen, without any exaggeration or theatrics. Very likeable. Video, 00:02:54, Will Bellingham stay or move? It's sad that a new generation of baseball fans don't know Harry Caray. After a decade in radio, Peter Brackley made the switch to television in 1982, replacing Hugh Johns at ITV. Joe Buck. Miles Harrison Harrison is Sky Sports' lead rugby commentator and has built up an impressive rugby commentary CV. "Keep listening. John Motson or Motty as he was affectionately known has commentated on over 2000 games for the BBC, more than anyone else. He was the voice of the Boston Red Sox for 15 years, but that kind of undersells how great he was at covering other sports as well. Video, 00:00:41, If we want the title, we have to beat Man City - Arteta. Drury has had some brilliant moments, most of which have come in the Premier League, while he has also enjoyed some in the UEFA Champions League and other international competitions such as the FIFA World Cup. The man, the legend known as "The voice of football" and is one of the greatest English football commentators of all time. The most recognizable British sports announcer of all time is Ian Darke. Such a familiar voice on Match of the Day and during major international tournaments on BBC. Burke's talent saw her rise to ESPN's NBA coverage in the late 2000s, and she became the first woman given a full-time analyst job on NBA coverage in 2017, which is a testament to her rare, amazing talent. The 74-year-old is still a full-time commentator, and his longtime partnerships with Peter Drury, Jim Beglin and Alan Smith have earned the tag of folklore in English football's history. UK-based video journalist Brady Haran is known for his popular YouTube math channel Numberphile. 'Oh I say!' From 1979, Motson was BBCs lead football commentator, describing every FA Cup final that BBC covered (except 1994 and 1995) until 2008. Each of these commentaries are as memorable as each other. ", David Coleman:"Ovett, those blue eyes like chips of ice! World Athletics Championships - BBC commentators - Media Centre Like most, Clive Tyldesley spent his early years in radio, mainly working for Radio City in Liverpool, before moving to Granada television in 1987. Beautifully pulled down by Bergkamp. You can't tell the story of college basketball from 1980 on without Vitale, whose gregarious personality and willingness to engage with fans has endeared him to and equally enraged college basketball aficionados the world over. Why his star hasn't risen even further in the industry is more of a knock on the industry itself than Johnson's talent. His career came to an unceremonious end following tabloid headlines of an extramarital affair in 1997, and he never returned to broadcasting. The view from Dortmund, If we want the title, we have to beat Man City - Arteta. Former Providence College basketball star Doris Burke finished her career with the Friars as the school's career assists leader before transitioning into a broadcasting career in the early 1990s covering Big East women's and men's basketball. The legendary Brian Moore, who is unofficially considered to be the father of English football commentary, was perhaps the first man to have brought the profession into the realm of the general public. Football Commentating Years On TV:1951-1971 (BBC), In 1966, Kenneth Wolstenholme gave an unscripted delivery of fourteen words that are the most famous in British sports commentary;Some people are on the pitch they think its all over it is now!. Having commented both on football and boxing, Darke was one of the four members of Sky's 'Big Four' commentators alongside Martin Tyler, Alan Parry and Rob Hawthorne. Switched to Boxing for 10 years before returning to football. Liverpools 4-3 win over title chasingNewcastle Utdin 1996 immediately springs to mind. . Lesley Visser, Los Angeles Times, 1993, Primary networks: CBS, Fox Sports, ABC, NBC. His commentary skills edge on the theatrical but he provides the viewers with an experience that is unlikely to be forgotten. Born: May 17, 1959 (Charlotte, North Carolina), Sports: NFL, college basketball, NBA, golf. He began commentating while his career was still going and famously taught Sean Connery how to play golf for the James Bond film "Goldfinger" in 1964. Erin Andrews is an American television personality and sportscaster. Famous Sports Commentators - The Famous People On deciding this list there were three factors which I had to consider: the longevity of their careers; the major tournaments and big matches they covered; and any unforgettable commentary lines associated with them. Read about our approach to external linking. When Stan Collymore scores the last minute winner, Tyler describes it brilliantly amongst the mayhem,Collymore closing in! NBC aired 6.5 hours of taped delayed coverage on Saturday, July 8, 1978, starting with the ladies final, and then the gentleman's final. A number of football players have had a second career as writers or commentators. Then Cosell became the face of Monday Night Football and a key part of Olympics coverage for ABC. His was a throwback voice, deep and operatic. Sportsmail Reporter John Motson - Football Motson's voice has complemented many of football's biggest moments over the past 30-plus years. In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened. Motty himself says it changed his life. "A tradition unlike any other." That omits John Arlott, Kenneth Wolstenholme, Brian Johnston, Richie Benaud, Dan Maskell and a few hundred more to put on the plinth. He is also famous for popularizing catchphrases, such as Let's get ready to rumble. Harry Caray, Born: Aug. 16, 1930 (Santa Monica, California), Died: Aug. 9, 2015 (age 84, Greenwich, Connecticut). At the same point when Geoff Hurst gets his hat-trick goal, Johns says,Hurst, he could make it three he has! Buck was eventually fired, then rehired by the Cardinals in 1969 after Caray was fired, and gained his first measure of fame covering the team. Her talent should have had her there much sooner. John Motson, who began his illustrious career in 1971, is one of the most senior football commentators in the circuit, having covered close to 2000 games on TV and radio. Joe Buck, son of renowned sportscaster Jack Buck, is known for his stint with Fox Sports, where he worked as a play-by-play announcer for the network's NFL and MLB coverage. Makes a great duo with Jim Beglin. (+10) Diane Abbott. So hard to pick only 5. However, their job remains largely underrated as many people still fail to understand the importance of their work behind the camera. Emrick did broadcasting and public relations on the radio for minor league hockey teams for most of the 1970s until earning his break with the New Jersey Devils in 1982. Director of Policy. His sidekick Gray was sacked along with host Richard Keys in 2011 for allegations of sexism, but this gave Tyler a new lease of life, as he began working with younger and more modern former players, such asGary NevilleandJamie Carragher. Ian Darke is one of the biggest figures operating the microphone in British sport. List of Top Female Sports Commentators - Ranker His was the sound of autumn, as much a part of the season as the crackle from the first bite of an apple, or the gold-tinged foliage, or the carved pumpkins on the front stoop.". Sadly, Brian Moore would not get long to enjoy his retirement. Massively underrated. The Yorkshire-born announcer was brought on board by ITV to commentate the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and was also employed by ESPN for the 2014 FIFA World Cup as his services were required for its United States audience. Raftery's voice has become synonymous with the NCAA tournament and college basketball, as have his catch phrases like "A little kiss," "Onions!" Football has always been his number one passion, but has also commentated and written on a number of other sports including golf, cricket, tennis and rugby. But it made him beloved by fans. He moved west with the team to Los Angeles in 1958 and delighted Dodgers fans for decades with his golden voice and poetic storytelling. By commentating for so many different television networks, Peter Brackley was highly respected by the hundreds of colleagues that he worked with, who came out in force to pay tribute when he died in October, 2018. He was just as good at golf and tennis, announcing the Masters 26 times and the U.S. Open 21 times. Were sorry but we just think Parry is a bit too opinionated to be a commentator, often harshly criticising players. (Sportscaster and Co-Host of the Show 'Dancing with the Stars'), (Sports Television Personality and Commentator on ESPN's First Take), (Basketball player Power Forward, Businessperson), (One of the Greatest Baseball Broadcaster of All Time), Vincent Edward Scully, or Vin Scully, is best remembered for his 67-season stint of calling games with the, (Sports Anchor and Host of ESPN's First Take), Sports anchor Molly Qerim is best known for her stint on, Joe Buck, son of renowned sportscaster Jack Buck, is known for his stint with, (American Sportscaster and Anchor on ESPN), Sportscaster Stuart Scott is best remembered as an, (American Football Player, Sportscaster, and Actor), (American Sportscaster and Host of Sunday NFL Countdown on ESPN), (Businesswoman and Sportscaster, Co-Host of the CBS Show The NFL Today and Winner of Miss America 1971), Sportscaster Phyllis George initially soared to fame as the winner of, (ESPN Sportscaster Who Became Host of 'The Daily Show' and CBS 'The Late, Late Show'), (American Professional Football Quarterback), (Sportscaster and television personality), (American Professional Wrestling Commentator Known for His Antagonistic Schtick). However, many commentators never played the game at a professional level such as Dale Rowlinson, Gaz Mallachan yet they have gone on to become famous names associated with the game. ALAN WEEKS Remembered more for his BBC commentaries on Ice Skating and Ice Hockey, but worked on Match Of The Day for 20 years and went to 5 World Cups. as the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's hockey team upset the Soviet Union in Lake Placid, New York. She has been a part of the SkySports UK crew on and off for the better part of a decade. You should expect us in your inbox every Friday. Jim Rosenthal An old school voice of ITV and also a very decent presenter. Excitable style. He replaced Kenneth Wolstenholme as senior football commentator in 1971, given World Cup Finals, European Cup Finals and FA Cup Finals in the process. A number of football players have had a second career as writers or commentators. Jim Nantz, Sports: NFL, Olympics, MLB, NBA, NHL, horse racing, boxing. Sun Sign: Taurus.
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