Presenter Melissa Reddy hits out at the racism, sexism and ‘hate’ she received on social media over her exit from Sky Sports.
The South African football journalist, recently addressed her departure from the broadcaster, where she served as a senior reporter for three years.
Her exit was part of a redundancy program that saw seven journalists and presenters leave the network.
In response, Reddy publicly condemned the racism, sexism, and ongoing abuse she has faced throughout her career, describing it as “abuse that never ceases.”
She highlighted the challenges women and minorities face in sports journalism, consistent with her long-standing advocacy against such discrimination.
Reddy also shared her next career move, expressing excitement about joining ESPN as a senior reporter covering global football, aiming to tell meaningful stories and amplify underrepresented voices.
View this post on Instagram
She wrote: “ELEVENTH!!! season of Premier League coverage done and I’ve called time on three years at Sky 🫡
“I’ll still be doing bits and bobs for them but I’m genuinely soooo excited to share all the things I’ll be working on soon, which will allow me to focus on my strengths and passions 🥰
“For those that have BEEN asking for the past five years (😅) YES – that will include new books 🤓
“After the first press conference I covered in England all those years back, a journalist turned to the press officer and said “why are you letting them come over here and take our jobs. You just want a little lick 👅 don’t you?!”
“I would love to be able to say that things have changed in that regard, but alas… the abuse as a foreign woman of colour in this sphere never ceases. I will always be stronger than the hate; I know who I am, I know the substance of my work.
“You can’t dim the light of someone who learned how to shine in the dark ✨✨✨
“The messages I’ve received from managers, players, club staff, my Sky and wider industry colleagues – people who know me, my journey and sacrifices over the past decade – carry more weight than any of the nasty noise.
“Let’s cook 👩🏽🍳”
It come with Sky Sports News is undergoing a major redundancy programme, resulting in the departure of seven senior broadcasters.
Long-serving presenter Rob Wotton, with 30 years at the broadcaster, announced his tearful exit live on air earlier this month.
Presenters Teddy Draper (18 years) and Jasper Taylor (11 years), senior reporters Jeremy Langdon (over 20 years) and Melissa Reddy (3 years), reporter Fadumo Olow, and producer Nick Lustig are also leaving.
Alan Myers also revealed he will be leaving Sky Sports News after 23 years in the job. See more on all this in the article below…
SEVEN Sky Sports News presenters leaving in major shake-up with show also axed
Twitter users reacted as Melissa Reddy hits out at racism, sexism and ‘hate’ she received over her exit from Sky Sports…
@miasanH: I don’t understand the hate on Melissa Reddy – for what? I saw the clip where she was speaking on Onana but that really looks more like an honest mistake. I doubt she knew what ‘bollocking’ actually meant. She likely heard someone else say it in a similar context
@DanHorses2: Sad to hear @MelissaReddy_ is leaving @SkySportsNews always loved her enthusiasm and thought she was pretty good at her job. I’m sure you’ll go onto better things Melissa 🩵
@Seamusfx91: @MelissaReddy_ will land a top job very soon, she will be missed at sky, haters need to drop their unnecessary beef, she’s a successful beautiful woman. if you think you can do better go do a Sports journalism degree. the end
@JRitchie219: @MelissaReddy_ came into the football space in the Uk relatively unknown and made her name working independently and developing sources at clubs in the UK. She knows the game and the clubs inside out + reports as opposed to just passing on a press brief. A big loss
@Buttsy999: @MelissaReddy_ Hi Melissa just a BIG THANK YOU for your in-depth coverage of Manchester United issues. I will miss your smiling face and knowledgeable background on football matters. Good luck in wherever you media future takes you. Simon x
@eeko87 (Replying to @The_Forty_Four): The hell did she do to you guys? The comments here are crazy. I remember interacting with her on The KOP, LFC’s defunct social media site, then a few years later, I saw her on Sky & I was like damn, well done girl. @MelissaReddy_ keep flying SA’s flag high. Forget the haters.
@Pete2482: @MelissaReddy_ Looking forward to seeing what is next and hoping you’re coming back to do more Liverpool stuff!
@foreverayellow: i find it shocking just how many people on social media feel like they can say such grim shit about her, even tagging her. yes, she may not have been the best on sky sports, but simply no need to say such disgusting stuff. got nothing good to say, don’t say it at all.
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