ESPN has hired soccer play-by-play commentator Martin Tyler to serve as its lead match voice for the sports programmer's exclusive English-language coverage in the U.S. of the 2010 FIFA World Cup tourney in South Africa.
Tyler, who has called all matches in every FIFA World Cup since 1978, will make his debut for the sports programmer June 11, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. (ET) on the opening match of the competition.
Voted the "FA Premier League Commentator of the Decade" in 2003 by fans and a panel of futbol experts, Tyler has been with the London-based Sky Sports network since its launch in 1991.His arrival at Sky Sports coincided with the formation of English Premiere League and Sky's acquisition of the league's broadcast rights.
"Martin Tyler is one of the top English-language soccer commentators in the world; his experience, authentic style and in-depth knowledge of the game will help elevate ESPN's presentation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, informing and entertaining our viewers in the United States," said ESPN senior vice president and executive producer, event production Jed Drake in a statement..
