Veteran football commentator Clive Tyldesley has recently voiced his admiration for a BBC football commentator. While he acknowledges the rising prominence and acceptance of female voices in sports broadcasting, Tyldesley focused his praise on Robyn Cowen, not because of her gender, but because of her exceptional abilities as a commentator.
Tyldesley, a seasoned broadcaster with a career spanning several decades, believes that attitudes towards female presenters, commentators, and pundits are evolving. He notes that as audiences become more accustomed to hearing female voices in football, they will be judged more on their merits and less on their gender. He points to broadcasters like Gabby Logan and Hazel Irvine as examples of individuals whose excellence has transcended gender considerations.
In singling out Robyn Cowen, Tyldesley emphasized that his evaluation was based purely on her professional capabilities. He stated, "I'm judging her by her content, by her rhythm, by her insight, by the accuracy of her work, by her vocabulary, and I see qualities in her that I don't see in probably the majority of male commentators in my estimation". He went on to say, "But it's not because she's a woman, it's because she's a good commentator". Tyldesley even asserted that he would "defy anybody to argue that she's not one of the best 10 commentators working on television" when hearing someone as capable and considered as Robyn Cowen.
Tyldesley's comments come amidst ongoing discussions about diversity and inclusion in sports broadcasting. While figures like Joey Barton have been critical of women's involvement in men's football commentary and analysis, Tyldesley's remarks highlight a growing recognition of the talent and expertise that female broadcasters bring to the field.
Clive Tyldesley's own career is notable. He was ITV's senior football commentator from 1998 to 2020, leading their commentary teams at major tournaments. He has also commentated on seventeen UEFA Champions League finals and nine FA Cup finals for ITV. Currently, he is the lead commentator for CBS/Paramount Plus's UEFA Champions League coverage in the United States. Tyldesley began his broadcasting journey at Radio Trent in 1975 and later joined Radio City in Liverpool. He also had a stint with BBC Sport from 1992 to 1996.
Besides his commentary work, Tyldesley has found success with his "commentary charts," meticulously handwritten notes he prepares for games. These charts have become popular memorabilia among football fans, players, and managers.
In addition to praising Cowen, Tyldesley is currently promoting The Football Association's Silent Support weekend, an initiative encouraging parents to limit their cheering and shouting during youth games to foster better decision-making among young players. He underscores the importance of thoughtful communication, drawing a parallel to his mentor's advice to "make every word count" as a commentator.
While Tyldesley has praised Robyn Cowen, it is important to note that Steve Wilson is another well-respected commentator who works for the BBC. Wilson has been a part of the Match of the Day team since 2002 and is now the program's longest-serving commentator following John Motson's retirement. Wilson has covered six World Cup Finals and seven European Championship Finals, among other major sporting events.
