Geoff Shreeves' role under threat as Sky Sports target 'content creators' in shake-up

Geoff Shreeves is among 13 football reporters at Sky Sports whose roles are in doubt following the launch of a consultation that could see dramatic changes to next season’s coverage.

Shreeves has been an ever-present part at Sky Sports since the Premier League’s launch in 1992 but, alongside discussions over Soccer AM – another staple of the corporation’s football coverage - an overhaul of the reporting team is being proposed.

It is understood that one option would be a reduction from 13 jobs to 12, which would keep seven specialist football reporters alongside five "content creators". The brief for the new content creators would be to maximise audience reach across digital platforms alongside the more traditional reporting on shows like Soccer Saturday.

The restructuring consultation began this week and while conversations remain ongoing and Sky are understood to be open-minded about how their coverage will evolve next season, they are also offering no individual guarantees.

“Our coverage of football is evolving to reflect the changing habits of our viewers and ensures we continue to deliver the best experience for customers,” said a spokesperson. “Our proposal would mean the creation of new roles, and the closing of some existing roles, and we are currently in a consultation period with our people.”

Shreeves, who published his autobiography earlier this season, first joined Sky in 1992 as a floor manager before becoming senior pitchside reporter for the biggest live games.

He gave the "thumbs-up" for referee Mike Reed to kick-off Nottingham Forest’s game against Liverpool on the first-ever Super Sunday show in August 1992 and then moved seamlessly into an on-camera reporting role in 1999.

Shreeves has since become one of Sky Sports’ most recognisable faces and voices, providing pre-match analysis, in-game touchline updates and, most notably, post-match interviews in the emotional immediate aftermath of matches. He even provides injury updates in the FIFA video game.

In his book earlier this season, Cheers, Geoff! Tales from the Touchline, Shreeves revealed behind-the-scenes stories of his encounters with some of football’s biggest figures, notably the combustible former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

It is understood that no decisions have yet been taken by Sky Sports, and that no individuals have been singled out, but there has been an air of considerable uncertainty at Sky’s Isleworth headquarters over recent days.

Soccer AM, the cult Saturday morning show which has run continuously since 1995, is also under threat. It follows other sweeping changes over recent years, notably the end of Goals on Sunday and the Sunday Supplement and also the departures of pundits Matt Le Tissier, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas.

“Soccer AM has played an important role in our coverage of football for the past three decades, and we continually adapt to the evolving needs of our customers,” said a Sky spokesperson. “We now go into a period of consultation to discuss the proposed changes with our people. We are unable to provide more detail while these consultations are underway.”