Melissa Reddy breaks silence on Sky Sports axe and hits back at 'abuse that never ceases'

 

Melissa Reddy breaks silence on Sky Sports axe and hits back at 'abuse that never ceases' Melissa Reddy, a prominent South African football journalist, has addressed her departure from Sky Sports, where she worked as a senior reporter for three years. Her exit is part of a redundancy program affecting seven staff members, including presenter Rob Wotton. Sky Sports explained that the restructuring aims to make the channel more agile and better suited to audience needs, rather than solely focusing on cost reduction. Reddy shared her thoughts on Instagram, expressing excitement for future projects, particularly writing books that align with her strengths and passions. She also confirmed she would continue contributing to Sky Sports on a limited basis. In her statement, Reddy confronted the ongoing racist and misogynistic abuse she has endured as a woman of color in sports journalism. She recalled an early experience in England where a colleague questioned her presence, asking why “they” were allowed to take local jobs. Despite the relentless hate, Reddy emphasized her resilience, stating she remains stronger than the abuse and confident in her identity and work. Her post garnered support from peers like Natalie Pike, who praised her as an inspiration for women in the industry, and Reshmin Chowdhury, who urged her to keep shining. Reddy’s departure coincides with other changes at Sky Sports News, including the exit of presenters Teddy Draper and Jasper Taylor and the cancellation of The Football Show. Public reactions on X vary, with some posts celebrating her exit with offensive comments, while others commend her response to adversity and her forward looking plans. These posts reflect diverse opinions but are not definitive. Reddy’s focus remains on her future, undeterred by challenges, as she embarks on a new chapter in her career.

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