The BBC announced on Wednesday 15th January that from the start of next season, Match of the Day will be hosted by three presenters for the first time. These presenters are: Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan. They will split the presenting duties for Saturday’s Match of the Day, as well as Match of the Day 2 on Sundays and Wednesday night’s MOTD: Champions League, from the start of next season. Cates, Chapman, and Logan bring a wealth of experience to their collaboration, having previously worked together on the BBC. With decades of expertise among them, they are true veterans in their field. Here’s a closer look at their backgrounds and an exploration of why having two female presenters on the show is a significant step forward for women in sport.
Who is Kelly Cates?
Football fans may know Kelly Cates best from her presenting role in Sky Sports live coverage of Premier League football, and it has been confirmed that she will be continuing this role next season too. Before she started out on Sky Sports, she presented Sky Sports News as well as Setanta, ESPN, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. She comes from a football family too, as her dad is former Liverpool player Sir Kenny Dalglish.
Who is Gabby Logan?
Gabby Logan is arguably one of the most experienced and best-known broadcasters in England. She first joined the BBC in 2007 and has stood in for Gary Lineker on Match of the Day previously, as well as presenting huge sporting events for the BBC, such as both the men’s and women’s World Cups and European Championships, the Six Nations and the Olympics. She is also the daughter of Terry Yorath, a Welsh former football player and manager, at both club and international level.
Who is Mark Chapman?
Fans of Match of the Day will perhaps not be surprised to see Mark Chapman announced as one of the show’s new presenters, as he has been the main host of Match of the Day 2 since 2013. He also works regularly on BBC Radio 5 Live, presenting Sports Report and the Monday Night Club. He also co-hosts the Sports Agents podcast alongside Gabby Logan and has served as a presenter for Sky Sports’ live League Cup coverage since 2022.
Why does it matter for women in sport?
This announcement from the BBC feels particularly significant for two key reasons. First, in the 61-year history of Match of the Day, hosting duties have always been handled by a single main presenter. Now, for the first time, the role will be equally shared among three presenters. Second, two of these new presenters are women. Since the show’s inception in 1964, its five main hosts—Kenneth Wolstenholme, David Coleman, Jimmy Hill, Desmond Lynam, and Gary Lineker—have all been male.
This marks a major milestone for female representation in sports broadcasting. While there have been notable strides in increasing the visibility of female presenters, broadcasters, and pundits, women remain statistically underrepresented. This decision signals meaningful progress in addressing that imbalance.
The inclusion of two female presenters on one of football’s most high-profile highlights shows could have a profound and positive influence on the number of women pursuing careers in sports journalism. This reflects the growing prominence of women’s sport and the increasing visibility of female presenters and pundits on live sports broadcasts.
On International Women’s Day 2024 (Friday, 8th March), the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) reported encouraging progress: during the 2023/24 academic year, over 20% of students enrolled in NCTJ-accredited sports journalism courses across the UK were women. This represents a steady rise from 14% in 2022/23 and just 7% in 2021/22. Initiatives like the BBC’s decision to feature female presenters on Match of the Day could inspire even more women to consider a career in the sports industry, which has historically been male-dominated.
Having Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates co-host Match of the Day not only underscores the possibilities for female broadcasters in sports journalism but also highlights that women can—and should—play leading roles in coverage of men’s sports, as well as women’s. This is a powerful step toward breaking down barriers and broadening aspirations for future generations.
The BBC’s announcement is particularly meaningful as it challenges a persistent misconception often seen on social media—that female presenters and pundits lack the credentials to host programs about men’s sports. This stereotype has been a significant barrier for women in the industry, compounded by the sexism, trolling, and online abuse that many female pundits and presenters have endured while taking on these roles.
The selection of Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates to present Match of the Day is a powerful rebuttal to these unfounded criticisms. Both are highly experienced and knowledgeable professionals, proving that women are equally capable of excelling in sports broadcasting at the highest level. Their inclusion not only highlights the inaccuracy of these outdated ideas but also sets a strong precedent for the future, demonstrating that expertise and talent transcend gender.
There is still much progress to be made in achieving greater female representation within the sports broadcasting industry. The NCTJ has recognised this challenge and set a target of 25% female representation in its sports journalism courses. However, the BBC’s recent announcement of the new Match of the Day presenter line-up is a significant step in the right direction.
This milestone not only holds the potential to inspire more women to pursue careers in sports journalism but also reassures long-time fans of the show that Match of the Day remains in exceptionally capable hands. Such moves pave the way for continued progress while showcasing the value of diverse voices in sports broadcasting.
Photo – https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ce9nzxe4m18o
