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Melissa Reddy is among the seven journalists that UK media company Sky Sports is letting go as they look to modernise their coverage.
SA brodcastr Melissa Reddy has opned up about her time at Sky Sports as she leaves the channel. Picture: melissa_reddy/Instagram
South African broadcaster Melissa Reddy has bid farewell to Sky Sports and in her farewell message highlighted the xenophobia, misogyny and racism that she experienced during her time.
“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’,” she said in a long post on her Instagram account.
The 38-year-old broadcaster’s name was among the seven journalists that UK media company Sky Sports let go of as they look to modernise their coverage.
Reddy joined Sky in 2022; however, she has been covering the Premier League for more than a decade.
“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,” she said.
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Reddy taking abuse
In a message on Instagram, Reddy said that despite her years of experience as a senior broadcaster, she still had to contend with those who questioned her as a woman, an expat and a person of colour.
“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.”
Despite this, Reddy said she made some great memories during her time at Sky.
Her Instagram post included photos of her interviewing Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim, as well as another shot of her outside Liverpool’s training ground.
Of the 20 photos and videos of her time at Sky, the most heartwarming is probably the one of Egypt and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah noticing her before walking down the tunnel at Old Trafford and stopping to hug her.
“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.”
Fellow sports broadcaster South Africa’s Mpho Maboi said Reddy was a beacon of pride.
“You’re such a beacon of pride for some of us. Proudly flying the SA flag and doing it with aplomb.
“All the best on your new journey. Onwards and upwards.”
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