Swansea Criticizes TV Coverage of Wrexham Defeat Featuring Hollywood Owners

Swansea City CEO Tom Gorringe criticized Sky Sports' coverage of their defeat at Wrexham, where Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac commentated. Gorringe raised concerns about impartiality and plans to discuss the issue with the EFL.

Background on Commentary and Coverage

Ryan Reynolds (left) and Rob Mac (right) were interviewed during the build-up to Wrexham's win over Swansea as well as commentating on the game.

Swansea City chief executive Tom Gorringe has expressed criticism regarding the television coverage of their Championship defeat at Wrexham, where the north Wales club's Hollywood owners served as guest commentators.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac – formerly McElhenney – provided commentary on the match broadcast on Sky Sports alongside regular presenter David Prutton. They were also prominently featured in the pre-match build-up on Friday, 13 March.

The Reynolds-Mac commentary was presented as an alternative to Sky Sports' standard commentary team; however, this did not prevent Gorringe from voicing his concerns about the coverage and committing to raise these issues with the English Football League (EFL).

Gorringe's Statement on Coverage

In his programme notes for Swansea's subsequent game against Coventry City on Saturday, Gorringe wrote:

"We have the Sky Sports cameras in attendance once again, although hopefully coverage of this fixture will be more balanced than what we witnessed around our game at Wrexham last weekend.

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.

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 Response and Context

When contacted by Wales, Sky Sports declined to comment directly on the criticism. However, it is understood that the broadcaster maintains its coverage was fair and balanced.

Sky Sports highlighted that former Swansea player Ashley Williams was among their pundits for the game, and that Swansea manager Vitor Matos, alongside Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson, was interviewed prior to kickoff.

Wrexham Ownership and Commentary Details

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney celebrated five years as Wrexham owners last month.

During their tenure, the Red Dragons have achieved three consecutive promotions, rising from the National League to competing for a Championship play-off place.

American actor Rob McElhenney, aged 48, described his experience commentating on the Wrexham versus Swansea match as the "most rewarding professional experience of my entire life."

Wrexham secured a 2-0 victory, enhancing their prospects of reaching the Championship play-offs and negatively impacting Swansea's slim chances of finishing in the top six.

Further Comments from Swansea Chief Executive

Gorringe added further commentary on the production and focus of the broadcast:

"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,"

added Gorringe, who was appointed Swansea chief executive just over a year ago.

"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 forward.