The British public have a habit of creating institutions; the constitutional Royal family, Coronation Street and even the Cup of Tea, these are nurtured, loved and kept as part of ye Olde Britain. Sky got half of this right, they created an institution.
Andy Gray was seen as the face of Sky's football coverage for 18 years, Richard Keys likewise. On Sky's 20th year anniversary advertisements Gray featured heavily amongst footballing greats such as Arsene Wenger, Thierry Henry and Sir Alex Ferguson. It only takes one look at Gray's playing career to realise that his playing record alone is not enough to earn his place amongst these footballing "Legends". His place comes from his subsequent broadcasting career, a role given to him by Sky, with a freedom to lift his profile. Items such as "Monday Night Football" ( a big re-release this season) or "Super Sunday the last word" were as much about the outspoken views of Gray as they were about the football on show. In other words Sky Sports made Gray and Gray made Sky Sports.
This only adds to the confusion around his dismissal. Firstly, I am not looking to defend the words of Keys and Gray what they said was wrong and shouldn't have been said. If, as Key's said, "dark forces were at work" then they shouldn't have been naive enough to have a conversation of such a sexist nature while multiple microphones were attached to their person. They knew better. Also, From a refereeing point of view Sian Massey should not suffer because of this. It is possible that she is only where she is because of her gender, but not likely. Mike Riley and the rest of the PGMOL board would not promote her to such heights if she was not capable of performing and she has not done anything to make them doubt her abilities. For instance many including Gray and Keys would not have known that she ran the line at Blackpool V Sunderland. Can you recall a controversy from this game ? No, neither can I, from a refereeing point of view that's job well done.
Anyway, to many feminists, Liberals or non-sports fans Gray's dismissal is a no brainer. Had to be done. Good riddance. However, it is not them who will now watch Jamie Redknapp, Alan Smith or another ex professional try and fill the void which has been left. Would an official apology have been enough ? Probably. Firstly, I cant imagine Sian Massey was too bothered, if it's not from the commentary or press box it's from the stands, where several thousands fans express a much more vociferous sexism. Secondly, Andy Gray's crime was much less than that of Jonathan Ross in "Sachsgate". Ross dipped his head under the parapet and survived the axe in the state run, left leaning BBC. If these are compared, then the outcome is unjust.
It is also worth analysing the "dark forces" that Keys' states is behind Grays dismissal and the leak of the sexist remarks. It is quite possible that someone within the Sky organisation had in it for the pair and wanted them out from producer to sound engineer this is possible. However, the most effective conspiracy theory comes on the subject of the ownership of Sky Sports itself. Sky Sports is run by BSkyB Plc, which is majority owned by News Corp. News Corp is the organisation run by Rupert Murdoch which owns The Sun, The Times and News of the World (of phone hacking fame). One "celebrity" with a lawsuit against News of The World is Andy Gray. Now the suspicion occurs; does the phone hacking scandal run deeper than News of the World suggest ? Perhaps all the way to Murdoch himself and therefore the order to dismiss Gray came from Murdoch himself as little more than "get your own back"? It's an interesting theory.
We will probably never know the full reason behind the dismissal, Sky will want to keep it that way. However, if Sian Massey returns to our TV screens in the near future, which i sincerely hope she does, her reputation will have been tainted by the whole saga, slightly by Gray and Keys but mostly by the way the press and Sky have handled it. It will also be different for millions of viewers with the notable absences of Gray and Keys. Jeff Stelling and David Jones will be Politically correct and will stick to the Sky Tv etiquette. However, Sky Sports will have lost something they have worked hard to create, an institution.
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