The CEO of Swansea City, Tom Gorringe, has expressed dissatisfaction with the coverage of the recent derby match against Wrexham. He believes Swansea was treated as an afterthought due to the prominence given to Wrexham’s Hollywood owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The game took place on March 13, with Reynolds and McElhenney providing commentary for Sky Sports’ alternative coverage.
Swansea’s Concerns Over Coverage
Gorringe criticized the imbalance in coverage, stating that the focus on Wrexham overshadowed Swansea City. He highlighted that, despite Swansea’s presence, the production appeared skewed towards Wrexham. The commentary by Reynolds, McElhenney, and presenter David Prutton emphasized Wrexham’s perspective significantly.
Previous Commentary and Content
- Wrexham’s owners: Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney
- Date of match: March 13
- Swansea CEO: Tom Gorringe
- Wrexham won the match 2-0
- Total viewers of the alternative coverage: 424,000
- Viewers for the alternative commentary: 168,000
In a statement, Gorringe mentioned, “While we appreciate the growth of the EFL profile, coverage should be impartial and balanced.” He expressed hope that future broadcasts would rectify these concerns. Gorringe plans to discuss the production issues with the English Football League (EFL) in the upcoming week.
Sky Sports’ Response
Sky Sports has declined to comment on Gorringe’s criticisms. However, sources suggest the broadcaster feels its coverage was balanced, noting the inclusion of former Swansea player Ashley Williams as a pundit and a pre-match interview with Swansea’s coach Vitor Matos. Gorringe’s concerns center around the production being managed by Reynolds and McElhenney’s company, which he argues biased the focus toward Wrexham.
A Historical Context
Reynolds and McElhenney celebrated five years as Wrexham’s owners in February. Their tenure has witnessed the club’s remarkable ascent from the National League to vying for a place in the Championship. With every passing game, the rivalry with Swansea intensifies, emphasizing the need for fairer coverage in the media landscape.
As the season unfolds, Swansea City hopes for improved representation in future broadcasts, advocating for greater attention to both teams’ narratives.
