Richard Keys and Andy Gray to Exit beIN Sports After Season’s End
Richard Keys and Andy Gray are set to depart beIN Sports at the conclusion of the current Premier League season. Sources with knowledge of the situation indicate that their existing contracts will expire at the end of the season, and extensions are unlikely. There is no indication of a dispute between the two and the network.
Background on Keys and Gray
Keys, age 68, and Gray, age 70, are well-known figures in sports broadcasting. They were prominent on Sky Sports throughout the early years of the Premier League, which began in 1992. However, their careers experienced a significant setback in 2011 due to controversies surrounding inappropriate comments made by Gray about assistant referee Sian Massey. Gray lost his job, and Keys resigned after media scrutiny of his involvement in the incident.
In the aftermath, Massey stated that Keys apologized to her for his comments. Keys has since claimed that he was victimized by external forces during the ordeal.
Move to beIN Sports
After their dismissals from Sky Sports, Keys and Gray found new opportunities with beIN Sports in 2013. They have since provided English commentary for Premier League matches, predominantly in Turkey, the Middle East, and North Africa. Over the years, they have welcomed several former Premier League personalities to their team, including:
- Arsene Wenger
- David Moyes
- Nigel de Jong
- Jason McAteer
Current Landscape and Future Plans
Although Keys and Gray have been successful in their roles, industry changes are prompting them to consider their futures. With both approaching their seventies, and the evolving nature of sports broadcasts, conventional pre-match and post-match programs are experiencing declining interest. The rise of social media, podcasts, and fan-driven channels has shifted viewer preferences significantly.
As of now, there are no official confirmations regarding their participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup coverage, unlike their role during the 2022 tournament. beIN Sports has not yet commented on the matter.
