Arsenal legend Ian Wright has expressed his admiration for ITV's World Cup broadcast set in New York, stating that the lavish backdrop is exactly what the tournament deserves. The comment came during ITV's coverage of England's friendly victory over Costa Rica, where Wright, Roy Keane, and presenter Mark Pougatch analysed the match against the iconic Manhattan skyline.
Wright's Praise for ITV's New York Loft
As the broadcast began, Pougatch welcomed viewers to ITV's 'New York loft apartment', which will serve as the base for six weeks of World Cup coverage. He highlighted the view of lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge, assuring audiences that the backdrop was real, not AI-generated. Keane described the set as 'amazing' and 'fantastic', while Wright added: 'It's amazing, unbelievable set. It's the World Cup, it should be this, it should be grand, massive.'
Contrast with BBC's Salford Studio
Wright's comments highlight the stark contrast with the BBC, which has opted to base its World Cup coverage in Salford. The BBC faced criticism for keeping most of its broadcast team in the UK, sending only a small number of reporters to the United States. BBC director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski defended the decision, arguing that building a studio in Dallas and flying out hundreds of staff would cost millions of pounds of licence fee money, which he deemed unjustifiable.
Rivalry Between Broadcasters
The rivalry between ITV and the BBC extends beyond sets, according to Keane. Speaking on Sky Bet's 'Road To American' series, he noted that the competition creates tension even among pundits. 'The rivalry between the BBC and ITV pundits is a bit strange, but I think it's good that there's a bit of tension,' Keane said. 'I think you need a bit of competition. Let's not kid ourselves, there is definitely tension.' He added that the behind-the-scenes focus on ratings may influence pundits' attitudes.
ITV's grand New York set has drawn widespread attention, with Wright's endorsement further fuelling the debate over broadcaster choices for major sporting events.
