Former National team goalkeeper Shaka Hislop has joined the broadcast teams of ESPN Soccernet Press Pass and SportsCenter program strands.
ESPN today announced the deal officially which will see the former outstanding Premiership goalie providing expert comment and analysis to both programs on a regular basis.
In total, Hislop played almost 400 games in his career, the vast majority in the Premier League.
He played for West Ham in two separate spells and also played under Manager Harry Redknapp twice. He retired from football, aged 38, in August last year, after spending a season with Dallas FC in the MLS.
Hislop was one of a only a few players who, because of his dual nationality, played for England before going on to represent and captain his native Trinidad and Tobago, including at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. During the tournament he aided England’s progress through the group stages by keeping a brilliant clean sheet against their
major group rivals Sweden.
“I am excited to be joining ESPN, the undisputed leader in sports broadcasting. Given my career at club and international level I think it is a great move for me and a fantastic opportunity and I am looking forward to it. After 15 years in the game as a player you are sometimes tempted to think you have seen it all. I think there are a lot of things I can bring to the viewers with my playing experience and I look forward to sharing that with others.”
A release from ESPN stated that Hislop’s commentary will appear on Africa, Middle East, the Caribbean and the Pacific Rim versions of SportsCenter and Press Pass. They will also be available in the UK on ESPNsoccernet.com. Both programs are produced in ESPN’s headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut, where the latest in digital technology and new media distribution occurs.
Hislop was previously likely to take up an offer from a Trinidad University but negotiations there stalled last year and Hislop was lured over by the network giants.
"It really wasn't too hard a decision to make eventually," Hislop told TTFF Media. "It is something I've always thought about and it gives me the chance to stay close to the game. With the playing side coming to an end I always knew I would have to head over into something else whether it be in the coaching or management aspect or in this case in the promotional side of the sport and I'm really looking forward to it," he added.