Ian Darke

Ian Darke is an English football and boxing commentator who currently works for ESPN US. 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, along with Jim Watt, they have covered some of the biggest fights involving British fighters, such as Ricky Hatton's. In 2010 Darke switched from Sky to ESPN US.

Broadcasting career

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.

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). This coincided with Sky's new policy of rotating their main commentators. Previously, Martin Tyler covered all the 'big' matches; now, Darke was given matches such as Liverpool v Manchester United, Arsenal v Manchester United and the 2005 Champions League semi-final between Chelsea and Liverpool.

Tyler later regained his number one spot, but the continued rotation still gave opportunities for other commentators and Darke enjoyed a prolific career with commentaries from the Premier League, Champions League and Football League, as well as maintaining his boxing commitments. In addition to his Premier League announcing work for Trans World International, Darke serves as a primary host for the company's weekly magazine show.

ESPN

In 2010, Sky did not receive rights to the 2010 World Cup, and Darke was hired to be an ESPN commentator for their coverage of the World Cup in the United States. He became internationally known for his commentary on Dutch striker Giovanni van Bronckhorst's goal vs. Uruguay in the first World Cup semifinal, in which he noted the strike was an "absolute firecracker". In the United States particularly, Darke became well known for his commentary after Landon Donovan's injury-time goal allowing the USA to defeat Algeria 1-0 and advance to the second round - "Donovan has scored! Oh, can you believe this? Go, go, USA! Certainly through! Oh, it's incredible! You could not write a script like this!"

Despite beginning the 2010-11 English Premier League season with Sky in the UK, he was offered a three-year contract to join ESPN in the US as their voice of the Premier League. He accepted the offer, and now commentates alongside Steve McManaman. ESPN has announced that Darke will expand his duties to commentate on MLS games, the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Darke paired with Julie Foudy to lead ESPN's coverage of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup. He called a memorable quarterfinal match against Brazil. Following the USA's 122nd minute equalizer, he said, "Oh, can you believe this? Abby Wambach has saved the USA's life in this World Cup!" The United States would go on to win the match on penalty kicks.

External links

• Ian Darke's interview on Landon Donovan's World Cup 2010 goal