ITV Names Sloane As New Sport Chief
ITV has appointed Niall Sloane, the departing BBC head of football and F1, as the broadcaster’s new controller of sport.
Sloane, who last month announced he was leaving his long-standing post at the BBC just days after Barbara Slater was appointed the broadcaster’s new director of sport, will report to Michael Jermey, ITV director of news, current affairs and sport.
In his new role, Sloane will oversee ITV Sport’s coverage of events including the FA Cup, England internationals, the World Cup, the Champions League, the UEFA Cup, the Tour de France, British Touring Cars, boxing, darts and rugby.
Sloane, a former footballer for Sheffield Wednesday, joined BBC Sport in 1982, spending six years as an assistant producer.
After a further six years as assistant editor for Sportsnight and Match of The Day, he became editor of Match of The Day in 1995 before moving in 2000 to become head of football and F1.
Sloane’s departure from the BBC comes just as it regains the live TV rights to F1 after winning them back from ITV last year. He is expected to stay on at the BBC for the first two races of the 2009 F1 season before leaving in mid-April.
