Martin Tyler opens up about 'problematic' Sky Sports axe and what complicated things

Martin Tyler has opened up about his Sky Sports exit (Image: In The Mixer)

Martin Tyler has revealed details surrounding his departure from Sky Sports . The 80-year-old left the broadcaster in 2023 following more than three decades of exemplary service.

Tyler's distinctive commentary will be forever linked with some of the Premier League's most iconic moments, with his roaring delivery of Sergio Aguero's name during Manchester City's title triumph in 2012 remaining permanently embedded in football folklore.

Nevertheless, eyebrows were raised two years ago when Sky announced they would not be extending Tyler's deal following 33 years with the network. He has now spoken candidly about his exit and a health issue he was battling at the same time, which further complicated the situation.

"I mean, my contract ran out with Sky and they decided not to renew it, and that's their right," Tyler explained to In The Mixer , brought to you by Sky Bet.

"I'd had 30-odd years there, absolutely wonderful, wouldn't say a bad word about them at all. But there was a suggestion that I was retiring, which was not true at all.

"It was complicated because I had a voice problem for the first time in my life around that time. I knew I was already going. And then suddenly this, nobody really knows medically what it was, but it was weird because I could shout but I couldn't conduct a conversation.

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"I was not going to the coffee shop, not answering the phone unless it was somebody who knew that. So at the time it sort of came to an end at Sky, I was needing some medical expertise.

"I had a couple of operations on my vocal cords and it was a bit worrying at the time. It took about eight weeks to be able to get going again, not a very nice eight weeks."

Tyler was a staple in the commentary box for 33 years (Image: Getty)

Tyler continues his commentary work with Premier League Productions and also hosts his own podcast, which has over 80 episodes. He went on to discuss how things have evolved in the industry since his departure from Sky, reports the Mirror .

"It's changed a lot," Tyler added. "Before my very first game, which was a long time ago, John Motson was the BBC Match of the Day commentator and I knew him quite well.

"I was working around television, not as a commentator, but he found out I was doing my first game. He sent me a message saying, 'Talk little, but say a lot.' I thought that was great advice. And certainly in that period in the 70s.

"But when you get two voices now, three voices sometimes and somebody else down on the touch line, there's a lot of radio-ness about the television commentary. Whereas before it was maybe just a little more laid back.

"Then you've got something for the very big moments. And those moments, I mean... People ask me to do Aguero. I couldn't possibly do that again to the justice of it. So it's all changed a lot, opinion, social media obviously has changed so much."

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