Ian Darke Will Be Lead Announcer for ESPN on 2014 World Cup; Martin Tyler Out

Simultaneous announcements from ESPN. The network says the popular Ian Darke who became a breakout star in the United States during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, will be the lead announcer for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. As a result, Martin Tyler who was ESPN’s lead announcer in 2010, has been let go to find another outlet.

Expect Tyler to be Fox’s lead announcer for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Darke became wildly popular for his call of the USA win over Algeria in particular Landon Donovan’s goal that put the Americans on top of Group C. Darke was also the lead announcer for ESPN’s coverage of the Women’s World Cup in 2012 in Germany.

And it led to Ian becoming the announcer for ESPN’s coverage of the English Premier League between starting in 2012 and ending in 2013.

When ESPN lost the rights to the EPL last year, Darke signed with upstart BT Sport to become its lead EPL play-by-play man.

Here’s the ESPN announcement about Ian Darke.

FIFA 2014 World CupESPN Names Ian Darke Lead Commentator for 2014 FIFA World Cup

Ian Darke will be the lead play-by-play commentator for ESPN during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, it was announced today by Jed Drake, senior vice president and executive producer, ESPN Production. Darke, ESPN’s lead voice for international soccer since 2010, will call the Brazil vs. Croatia opening match on Thursday, June 12, in Sao Paulo, the final and other matches, including all U.S. Men’s National Team games in the quadrennial tournament (June 12 – July 13).

Following his critically-acclaimed work for ESPN during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Darke joined the company full-time and was named the lead English-language voice for soccer in September 2010, moving from London-based Sky Sports. Darke, who was one of the FIFA World Cup commentators for ESPN and ABC in the U.S. in 1994, has voiced some of the seminal moments in televised soccer in the U.S. during the past four years.

During the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Darke brilliantly captured the game-changing moment during the USA-Brazil quarterfinal match when U.S. forward Abby Wambach scored a miraculous header in the 122nd minute of play. He also provided commentary for the eventual USA vs. Japan final – the most-watched soccer match on ESPN, seen by an average of 13.5 million viewers.

In May 2012, Darke described the heart-throbbing final minutes of the 2011-12 English Premier League season as Manchester City FC scored two stoppage-time goals to win its first title in top division football since 1968.

“Since Ian emerged as our year-round signature voice for soccer, his commentary has elevated our presentation of the sport to new heights,” said Drake.  “His experience, authenticity and passion resonate tremendously well with our viewers, who have come to expect the highest-quality soccer commentary from ESPN.”

Darke added: “I am thrilled to be covering another World Cup for ESPN, particularly in such a fanatical hotbed of the sport as Brazil. The venues mean the match windows will be ideal for the ever increasing and passionate community of soccer fans in the USA, who will see every minute of every game.”

In addition to the World Cup, Darke is a contributor for ESPN FC on TV, the company’s global soccer news and information television program where he appears on Monday to provide insight on European football – mostly on the Premier League. He periodically writes for www.ESPNFC.com, the leading digital soccer brand.

In the United Kingdom, Darke is the lead football commentator for BT Sport, covering the English Premier League and other major European leagues.

And here’s ESPN’s announcement on the network dropping Martin Tyler for 2014.

ESPN Black logoESPN and Martin Tyler Mutually Agree to End Relationship Ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup

ESPN and Martin Tyler, the company’s lead English-language commentator for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, have mutually agreed to end their relationship ahead of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Tyler came to ESPN in October 2009 as a commentator for the World Cup in 2010 and 2014. In South Africa, he commentated on 18 of the 64 matches including the opener, the final and all matches played by England. Tyler and commentators that included Ian Darke, Adrian Healey and Derek Rae, helped elevate ESPN’s presentation of the quadrennial competition.

ESPN earned critical acclaim for its month-long coverage of the first World Cup in Africa and garnered more than 40 industry awards highlighted by three Sports Emmys, a record for any event on the network.

“We truly thank Martin for his immense contribution to the overall success of our 2010 FIFA World Cup presentation,” said Jed Drake, senior vice president and executive producer, ESPN Production. “He played a vital role as part of a brilliant team of commentators, pundits and producers, who made the World Cup experience memorable for U.S. fans.”

Approaching Brazil 2014 (June 12 – July 13), Tyler requested for and has been granted a release from an agreement to commentate the next World Cup for ESPN. Tyler is now free to work with other FIFA media partners during the World Cup.

“Following World Cup 2010, Ian Darke made a long term commitment to ESPN. That commitment deserves to be rewarded by Ian being the lead commentator at World Cup 2014 for ESPN. With that in mind, it was only right and proper for me to offer to stand down from ESPN’s broadcast of the tournament next year. I’m sure that Ian and ESPN will enjoy a very successful tournament,” said Tyler.

Tyler is the lead football voice for the London-based Sky Sports. He has called matches in every FIFA World Cup since his debut in 1978 with ITV in the United Kingdom. Prior to working for ESPN in 2010, Tyler was the lead voice at the previous five World Cups (1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006) for SBS in Australia.

That is all.

About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013. He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television. Fang celebrates the three Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.

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