Richard Keys
Richard Keys (born 23 April 1957) is an English sports presenter specializing in association football broadcasting.[1]
Keys began his career in 1976 with a sports agency before transitioning to radio commentary roles at stations such as Radio City and Piccadilly Radio, and later television with TV-am in 1984.[1] He gained prominence as the anchor for Sky Sports' coverage of the newly launched Premier League in 1992, presenting flagship programs like Super Sunday and Monday Night Football alongside pundit Andy Gray until 2011, during which time he covered over 4,500 live matches including major tournaments and finals.[1]
In January 2011, Keys resigned from Sky Sports after a private off-air conversation with Gray was leaked, in which he expressed doubts about a female assistant referee's grasp of the offside rule, prompting accusations of sexism and leading to his departure alongside Gray's dismissal.[2][3] Following the incident, Keys continued broadcasting with Al Jazeera Sports and talkSPORT, earning the Sony Radio Academy Award in 2012 for best sports programme with Gray, before joining beIN Sports in 2013 where he hosts Keys & Gray.[1] In recognition of his contributions to sports media, he received an honorary Doctor of Letters from Coventry University in 2003.[1]