Mystery of Hope’s no-show on RTÉ
She was billed as the big new World Cup pundit, so why isn’t US star on our screens?
SHE was RTÉ’s great hope to invigorate its World Cup coverage – but global football star Hope Solo has to date been a no-show for the national broadcaster.
RTÉ insisted this weekend that the two-time Olympic gold medallist would still be joining its World Cup punditry team, but as the tournament enters its third week, a spokesperson admitted that it they still do not know when that will be.
Ms Solo, 36, was the goalkeeper for the United States women’s national soccer team from 2000 to August 2016, and has been as well known for her off-pitch antics as those on the field.
The promised appearance of the controversial US star, rated by some as one of the best female goalkeepers ever, was announced by RTÉ with great fanfare last
‘Won’t be appearing before July’
month. She was the biggest new addition to RTÉ’s team of guest panellists and commentators and it was reported that the national broadcaster had beaten off competition from CNN and BBC to secure her services.
But her no-show so far is causing comment among viewers and staff in RTÉ.
This weekend a spokesperson admitted they still ‘had no idea’ what matches she would be covering, or ‘what she is prepared to do’. The spokesperson added she would ‘definitely not now be appearing before July’. ‘We can say that for definite,’ he said.
By July, 49 games of the tournament will have been played with just 15 left.
Ms Solo could not be contacted this weekend. Her agent, who is attending the World Cup, did not return calls from the Irish Mail on Sunday.
RTÉ had been hoping that she would add more gender balance to their football coverage, which apart from Irish internationals Louise Quinn and Stephanie Roche, has been male heavy.
Last month, RTÉ’s chief football anchor, Darragh Maloney said how much he was looking forward to working with her. ‘When you have someone in Hope Solo’s category, being the star that she is, for RTÉ to be able to sign her up is a big deal. You have to jump at these opportunities. She has a huge global presence. I am dying to work with her, and I know [fellow presenters] Jacqui [Hurley] and Peter [Collins] are also.”
It’s not known how much Ms Solo was offered for her services and whether she has received payment so far. An RTÉ spokesperson said they do not discuss contractual details.
The US star has had a glittering career, peppered with controversy. She was sent home from a World Cup tournament not once but twice. And in 2014 she was charged with a drunken assault on her half-sister and nephew, although the charges were eventually dropped.
Earlier this month, she called for the USA not to be jointly awarded the 2026 World Cup because its football association was corrupt. However, Fifa ignored that plea and it’s since been announced that the country will host the event with Mexico and Canada.
RTÉ’s viewership numbers for the tournament so far have fluctuated hugely depending on who has been playing. Some 527,000 viewers tuned in for the England versus Tunisia game last Monday evening. But just 102,000 watched Poland play Senegal the following day.