Gabby Logan is set to make history as the first woman to front a men’s World Cup for the BBC, and the veteran sports presenter has spoken out about how football broadcasting used to be ‘much more misogynistic’
Gabby Logan says football broadcasting used to be “much more misogynistic” as she prepares to become the first woman to front a men’s World Cup for the BBC.
After decades covering major tournaments, the 53-year-old broadcaster admits that the landscape for women in sport on television has changed dramatically – with more female presenters, pundits and commentators fronting coverage.
Now, as she prepares to help lead the BBC’s coverage of another men’s World Cup, Gabby says the increasing visibility of women across football broadcasting matters far beyond television studios. She says: “Sports TV generally is definitely a much more inclusive-looking place to work.
“It has definitely changed, but society still has problems in the way women are treated. The political landscape has shown that even in the last week.
“Football coverage can’t solve that, but hopefully we can show the power of men and women working together, the power of female sporting role models, and then to a younger generation, it should be the norm.
“There was a time when so much of the conversation around female presenters focused on appearance and what they were wearing rather than their journalism or football knowledge.
“When I look back now, I realise how much more misogynistic it was. It was never the same for a male colleague, and there would be no comments about his suit.
Gabby, who chose to wear a trouser suit for the official BBC World Cup promo, adds: “The BBC doesn’t really have any guidelines about outfits that work on screen, and we’re pretty much left to our own devices.”
Sport has also been a great support following the death of her father, former Wales footballer Terry Yorath, who died aged 75 after a short illness in January. Gabby says: “I think sport is really amazing in these moments, football was incredible and comforting. As a family, we took a lot of comfort from that. I was so proud of him. Your dad is one thing to you, and then to all these other people, he was something else.”
Fronting the tournament will also mark a major milestone in Gabby’s own career, as it is her 20th year working for BBC Sport. “I have been involved in multiple men’s World Cups before now,” she says. “And I’ve been working the lead on the women’s World Cups and Euros as well, so it has been a long time in the making, I think.”
Preparing to become one of the leading faces of the BBC’s World Cup coverage alongside Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman, following Gary Lineker ’s departure, longevity in broadcasting has never been accidental for Gabby.
It has been built on preparation, routine and learning how to cope with the demands of live television. Asked what longevity for women in sports broadcasting looks like today, she laughs: “Being around at the same age as male colleagues. “Gary (Lineker) was 64 when he left Match of the Day, so ask me in 11 years.”
She says surviving broadcasting is less about glamour and more about organisation and consistency. Alongside her sporting commitments, Gabby is also an ambassador for Menopace, the UK’s No1 menopause supplement brand, providing targeted nutritional support for women before, during and after menopause.
“I make sure I take my supplements, including Menopace Max, whenever I travel. As much as I want to always reach for the healthy option food-wise, sometimes it’s just not possible, especially when I’m not cooking for myself.” Exercise, she says, is also non-negotiable: “I need to move, so I check out my schedule as to when and where I might exercise.
“Even if it’s a fast-paced walk and a hotel room workout, there’s always something that can be done. Dips on a chair, burpees and the use of a dyno-band can be very effective.”
When constantly travelling, Gabby says the basics become more important than ever: “A good diet and nutrition, sleep, hydration and exercise. I might not be able to get as much as I want of all four, but trying to stick to the things that make me feel good is essential.”
Gabby is typically measured when talk turns to England’s current manager, Thomas Tuchel, and the recent announcement of his squad.
“There’s always going to be disagreements about the players and who is always going to be in,” she says of Tuchel’s controversial decision to omit, among others, Harry Maguire, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“But I think he has got his strategy, he’s got his plan. He seems to have emphasised the unity of the squad, and that’s the most important thing for him. So yeah, it’s on his shoulders, isn’t it?”
While the scrutiny surrounding women on screen has not disappeared entirely, Gabby believes the industry finally looks very different from the one she entered.
And to the next generation watching, she hopes that difference simply feels normal.
Gabby Logan is a Menopace Ambassador. Menopace is the UK’s number one and most trusted menopause supplement brand, providing targeted nutritional support for women before, during and after menopause.
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