CBS Sports president, Pete Radovich, has recently spoken out about the controversial "loyalty" comment made by Jamie Carragher towards Kate Abdo during a live broadcast. This incident and subsequent actions by Carragher have caused quite a stir in the sports broadcasting world.
Jamie Carragher, former Liverpool defender and ex-England star known for his part in Champions League coverage, made an ill-advised quip questioning the loyalty of host Kate Abdo to her husband Malik Scott.
This occurred during a live broadcast of a Champions League match between Arsenal and Porto in March 2024. The comment left fellow pundits Thierry Henry and Micah Richards stunned into silence. The remark quickly went viral causing an uproar among fans and professionals alike.
Radovich's response
Radovich addressed this unfortunate saga with The Athletic, explaining how CBS Sports – particularly Abdo – reacted to the incident:
CBS Sports president, Pete Radovich, said:
“The first thing to say is everyone was surprised at the reaction that night; myself, Kate and Jamie included, because it was just banter gone wrong amongst friends, between a brother and sister. That night, when it started to snowball, we had discussions. It wasn’t alarms or questioning if we were going to be able to repair this. He misspoke. He felt bad. Kate wasn’t crazy about it, but none of it was like, ‘This could be the end’.
“The biggest reaction was surprise at how much play it got. So, there was never a moment in all of that time where I was like, ‘Wow, I don’t know if we can bounce back from this’. Not even for a split second because I knew internally we were all cool. It’s not for me to speak for Kate, but I can only speak to the conversations I had with Kate. She conveyed to me that she wasn’t crazy about the comment, but at the same time, we can get over this.”
During this event, Carragher indulged in pre-match beverages before joining Dortmund's famous 'Yellow Wall' of supporters. He returned on-screen looking worse for wear while interviewing England winger Jadon Sancho. Radovich further commented on pushing acceptable behaviour boundaries within sports broadcasting.
New coverage plans
Despite these incidents, CBS Sports continues its commitment to delivering high-quality sports content. As part of their upcoming plans, they will be covering not only the revised group stage format of the Champions League but also taking on EFL coverage as they tap into growing interest from Stateside audiences.
This move is partly due to the increasing popularity of teams like Wrexham and Birmingham in the United States.
While Carragher's antics have undoubtedly caused a stir, CBS Sports remains committed to delivering top-tier sports coverage. The incidents serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining professionalism in sports broadcasting, even amidst banter and camaraderie. As CBS Sports continues its expansion into European football coverage, fans can look forward to more exciting matches and insightful commentary.
