Sports Commentator Andy Townsend To Leave ITV As Football Deals End

Andy Townsend "is to leave his job" as co-commentator and summarizer with ITV Sport at the end of the season, according to Neville Dalton of the LONDON TIMES. The broadcaster "has confirmed it is not renewing the 51-year-old’s contract or that of Matt Smith, who presents the European coverage." ITV "has lost the rights to the FA Cup and live Champions League coverage." Townsend "has worked for the broadcaster since 2000." He "was an analyst on The Premiership for three seasons when ITV took over top-flight highlights from the BBC in 2001." He "has commented alongside Clive Tyldesley on some of the game’s biggest matches, from FA Cup and Europa League ties to Champions League and World Cup finals" (LONDON TIMES, 1/8).