Think ESPN isn’t going all in on its soccer coverage? A Sports Illustrated story Monday said the network will add British broadcasting legend Martin Tyler to its 2010 World Cup coverage.
It is a continuing trend for ESPN, which has placed added emphasis on the sport in recent years as the appetite for international soccer in the United States grows. Tyler is the Pat Summerall of the English Premier League — an understated presence who says more with less better than anyone. A presence at Sky Sports for almost 20 years, Tyler is shut out of the World Cup on European television because Sky doesn’t have the event’s rights.
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After all the criticism ESPN took for its 2006 World Cup team of Dave O’Brien and Marcelo Balboa, adding Tyler is a huge step in the right direction. The man, after all, was named EPL broadcaster of the decade by British fans. Good move by the four-letter network.
