Sports is an inherently entertaining activity and part of what elevates it into one of the most lucrative professions in the world today is its element of humanity that connects with anyone regardless of their background through the use of commentary. With the use of words, sports commentators incite emotional connection out of viewers and the audience as a whole, and one of the best people at this role is Ian Darke.
Ian Darke is a commentator who is prominently known for his work as a football commentator working for two big giant media outlets, BT Sport and ESPN. He is considered to be among the best four names in the business, which include notables like Martin Tyler and Alan Parry. When he is not commenting on football games, he also commentates for boxing matches. Find out all there is about him below.
Early Life and Career
Ian Darke joined the world sometime in 1950 in Portsmouth, England. Details about his childhood or familial background are unknown. We also do not have details of his educational background and at the moment, publicly available information about the commentator’s life reads as though he suddenly emerged out of nowhere as a renowned commentator.
After what we presume was the completion of his education, he began his professional career as a commentator for BBC Radio. Ian went on to spend ten years working for the media outlet during which he commented on sports events like the English Championship. His time at BBC also saw him cover other sports like boxing, and athletics before he made a switch to Sky Sports following the creation of the FA Premier League.
Upon joining Sky Sports, Ian Darke became the second topmost commentator for the media outlet after Martin Tyler and he worked on shows like Ford Monday Night Football. Following a few years of commentary roles on different sports for Sky Sports, Ian Darke became an exclusive commentator for their boxing program and he was the commentator for one of boxing’s most iconic events, the second fight Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson where Tyson infamously bit off Holyfield’s ear.
Before he ultimately left Sky Sports in 2010, he returned to commenting on other sports for the media outlet, providing the voice to several matches in the UEFA Champions League and the Football League.
Ian Darke joined ESPN after leaving Sky Sports and at ESPN, he expanded his fame and talents into US territory, becoming a favorite following his commentary of the US’ goal against Algeria in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
During his time with ESPN, Ian Darke has commented on major football events like the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, and the 2014 FIFA World Cup. At club football level, he is the leading voice of the media outlet for the Premier League and he also commentates for the US football league, the Major League Soccer (MLS).
He joined BT Sport, a rising media outlet in the UK in 2013 and continued to maintain his contract with ESPN concurrently. His work for BT Sport includes commentating for English Premier League games and he has attained an impressive feat providing commentary to at least five modern FA Cup Finals in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2019.
Meet Ian Darke’s Wife and Daughter
Ian Darke’s profession requires him to constantly be a face and voice in the media but that hasn’t stopped him from managing the extent of personal information about him in the press.
However, so far, we have been able to determine that Ian Darke has two children, Erin Darke, and Kath Darke. There is no information on who their mother is yet. His first daughter, Erin Darke is an actress who is a member of the British theatre community while his second daughter, Kath has some background in sports too, having run the London Marathon in 2018.
See Also: ESPN Israel Gutierrez – Bio, Net Worth And Salary, Is He Gay Or Married?
Other Facts About The English Commentator
- He was named Sir Ian Darke by the Men in Blazers – Michael Davies and Roger Bennett.
- Having had a career that has lasted over three decades, Ian Darke has amassed a total estimated net worth of $2 million.
- He is believed to be earning an estimated $100 thousand per year in salary.
- Ian once made a hilarious bit for ESPN by commentating on a couple’s first date.
- According to Ian Darke, his worst experience as a commentator was at Port Vale F.C.
