Barbara Slater has been with the BBC for 40 years. Credit: Getty Images/Sam Barnes
BBC Sport chief at center Gary Lineker must leave after the crisis.
Barbara Slater, the corporation's first female sports director, announces she will retire in the spring after 14 years work in this position and 40 years of work in it.
The news comes less than six months since she led her department's response to one of the biggest crises engulfing the BBC, after Match of the Day host Lineker was taken off the air for publicly comparing the government's flagship bill on illegal immigration with Nazi Germany. .
A former 1976 Olympic gymnast, Slater also witnessed the corporation relinquish exclusive television rights to many major events, including the Olympics.
However, Lineker's furore threatens to become even larger. her defining legacy amid an ongoing controversy over impartiality that saw the star's fellow hosts and pundits boycott Match of the Day in solidarity.
It was Slater who was forced to apologize to the staff for the unprecedented fallout, with sources saying Telegraph that at the time she looked «clearly exhausted» by the affair.
A BBC insider also said it would be cruel if she was «thrown under a bus» because of a decision that was made at the very top and culminated in a humiliating U-turn by CEO Tim Davy.
However, other sources emphasized that in recent years, Slater has taken an editorial course to ensure that «talent prevails over journalists.» Some thought the corporation was pandering to freelancers like Lineker, who have different rules than in-house journalists.
Part of this, according to a knowledgeable source, was that they turned a blind eye to freelancer posts on social media, while employees could expect a «slap in the face» for much less controversial or political posts. «It has accumulated and become the norm,» the source said.
Slater's statement comes as the BBC prepares for the damning findings of an internal review sparked by the Lineker crisis.
Confirming her retirement plans, she said: “This week, 40 years ago, I walked through the doors of Broadcasting House for the first time. A career with BBC Sport has been a real passion for me, not just a job. Since joining the company in 1983, I have been privileged to have such amazing opportunities and the pleasure of working with such talented colleagues and partners. We have so many people to thank and so many magical memories to remember.
“From being a director on occasions like Pete Sampras' seventh triumph at Wimbledon, to leading a move to Salford, where we see the incredible growth of our digital services and the excellence of emerging talent. I also hope that by showcasing the brilliance of women's sport, the BBC has played its part in changing attitudes, raising its profile and inspiring the next generation. I should also make a special mention that he competed in the 1976 Olympics and then led the sports teams that covered the 2012 home games. It was a monumental achievement for the BBC and all involved as the UK hosted the sensational London Olympics. . Next summer I will be following the BBC's coverage of Paris — this time as a proud sports fan.»
Paying tribute, Davy said: «Barbara has had an outstanding career at the BBC — a pioneer, innovator and outstanding leader — she kept the BBC at the forefront of sports for a generation. I wish her all the best. She will leave the BBC with a huge legacy.»
Charlotte Moore, Chief Content Officer, said: “Barbara has had an outstanding career with the BBC and left behind a legacy that few will be able to replicate. She is highly respected, a true trailblazer among women in the industry and can proudly say that she has inspired the next generation.
“Barbara has been at the helm of some of the most memorable sporting moments and brought a nation of millions together. She relentlessly pushed BBC Sport forward in the face of constant competition. She is a passionate supporter of these events and of free-to-air sports, and her ambition to raise the profile of women's sports in this country is relentless.
“Barbara is leaving BBC Sport in fantastic health and with great rights. agreements negotiated with Wimbledon up to and including 2027, the European Men's Football Championship in 2028, the Olympic Games until 2032, the Champions League, and a bold strategy for how we bring these incredible sports moments to audiences on TV, Sounds, iPlayer and website. I will miss working with her very much, but I wish her all the best in whatever the future holds.”
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