Swansea City chief executive Tom Gorringe has criticised the television coverage of their Championship defeat at Wrexham. The north Wales club’s Hollywood owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, were guest commentators for the game.
Reynolds and Mac featured heavily in the build-up to the game on Friday, 13 March. They commentated on the game on Sky Sports alongside regular presenter David Prutton.
The Reynolds-Mac commentary was offered as an alternative to Sky Sports’ regular commentary. Gorringe is hitting out at the coverage and pledging to raise his concerns with the EFL.
Gorringe’s Criticism of Sky Sports Coverage
Writing in his programme notes for Swansea’s game against Coventry City on Saturday, Gorringe voiced his displeasure. He hopes coverage of the Coventry City fixture would be more balanced than the Wrexham game.
“While I don’t think anyone would dispute that we want to continue to grow the profile of the EFL product, the means by which we do so should be balanced and impartial,” Gorringe stated.
“In my view, the build-up to and coverage of the game itself left a lot to be desired on those particular scores.”
Sky Sports declined to comment when contacted. However, it is understood the broadcaster believes its match coverage was fair and balanced.
Sky Sports pointed out that former Swansea player Ashley Williams was one of their pundits. They also noted that Swans boss Vitor Matos was interviewed before the game, as was Wrexham’s Phil Parkinson.
Wrexham Owners Celebrate and Swansea’s Concerns
American actor Mac, 48, described commentating on Wrexham’s game against Swansea as the “most rewarding professional experience of my entire life”.
Wrexham won the game 2-0. The win boosted their hopes of reaching the Championship play-offs, while dealing a blow to Swansea’s slim top-six chances.
Gorringe said that “with the production being done by Rob and Ryan’s own production company, all of the guests and focus was on their team, there were celebrations with David Prutton – the face of Sky’s EFL coverage – and the advert for the commentary of the game failed to mention that we were playing at all”.
“It felt to myself and a number of members of our staff that we were very much an afterthought and that our hosts were given priority at every opportunity, and as a club we would strongly suggest that greater critical thought is given to how these situations are handled moving forwa.”
Reynolds and McElhenney’s Wrexham Tenure
Reynolds and Mac celebrated five years in charge of Wrexham last month.
During their spell as owners, the Red Dragons have risen from the National League to Championship play-off contention thanks to three successive promotions.
Gorringe was named Swansea chief executive just over a year ago.