Des Lynam Leaves BBC To Present ITV Football

Desmond Lynam, presenter of sports programmes at the BBC for the last 30 years, has signed a four year contract with ITV, the Network announced today. Lynam will join ITV as its main football presenter where he will cover the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup.

The news will come as a further blow to BBC Sport, which has already lost a number of sporting events in recent years (see BBC Loses More Sport As Cricket Goes To C4). Commenting on his departure, Lynam said today: “Leaving the BBC after 30 years was not an easy decision to make, but it was time for a new challenge – and it’s no secret that live football is what I love best.” The BBC no longer has the rights to broadcast live football matches, and its deal with the Premier League only includes highlights rights.

ITV’s controller of sport, Brian Barwick, described Lynam as the ‘perfect match’ for the Network’s portfolio of football coverage: “We are looking forward to him bringing his special style of presentation to ITV,” he said.

“This sort of opportunity does not come along every day, and the chance to anchor ITV’s extensive peaktime Champions League coverage, as well as the FA Cup and other major football was just too tempting to turn down,” added Lynam.

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