Jim Rosenthal

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James "Jim" Rosenthal (born 6 November 1947) is a sports presenter on British television. In a long broadcasting career, Rosenthal has presented coverage of many sports including football, rugby, boxing and athletics. He has covered eight FIFA World Cups, three Rugby World Cups, two Olympic Games and 150 Formula One races.[1]

Early life

Rosenthal was born in Oxfordshire, the son of Maud Ruth (née Levy) and Albrecht Gabriel "Albi" Rosenthal, a music scholar and book seller.[2] His father was born in Munich, Germany, to a Jewish family. His paternal great-grandfather, Leo Olschki, founded the Leo S. Olschki Editore publishing house, and his maternal grandfather was German Jewish physician and writer Oscar Levy.[3] In an interview in 2013, Rosenthal said that he has no strong religious beliefs and that he has never stepped inside a synagogue in his life.[1]

Rosenthal grew up in Oxford and attended Josca's Preparatory School before going to Magdalen College School. He then joined the staff of the Oxford Mail and went on to work for BBC local and national radio.[4]

Broadcasting career

Rosenthal worked for BBC Radio Birmingham before moving to Radio 2. He worked for the BBC Radio Sports Unit between 1976 and 1980.[5] His television career began when he joined ITV in 1980.[4] He was part of the ITV team covering the FIFA World Cup since 1982.[6]

In the 1980s, Rosenthal commentated on boxing matches for ITV when first-choice commentator Reg Gutteridge was otherwise engaged or unable to travel. In the 1990s, Rosenthal was a presenter of ITV's The Big Fight Live, which reached huge nationwide audiences for boxing contests involving the likes of Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank and Naseem Hamed, then the likes of Amir Khan and Joe Calzaghe when it returned in 2005.[1]

Rosenthal (left) with boxer Errol Christie, pictured in the 1980s

Rosenthal covered three Rugby World Cup campaigns for ITV, including anchoring coverage of England's victory in the 2003 final. He was the presenter of Formula One (F1) on ITV for eight years and presented over 150 Formula One races since 1997.[6] In October 2005, it was announced that Steve Rider had been recruited by ITV from BBC Sport, to assume Rosenthal's former role for the 2006 Formula One season.[citation needed]

Rosenthal instead presented ITV's Champions League football coverage, as well as their boxing output. He presented ITV4's Champions League Live show and the channel's live match coverage, until he was dropped in 2008 from his exclusive contract with ITV after 28 years with the channel. ITV's head of news and sport, Mark Sharman, said at the time: "Jim Rosenthal has made a magnificent contribution to ITV Sport over a long period of time but we will no longer tie him to an exclusive contract. He will be free to explore other challenges while ITV Sport will have the opportunity to make on-air changes."[7]

Internationally, Rosenthal regularly hosted the UEFA Gala Dinner in Monaco, a football spectacular that is broadcast across the world. He has presented the live FA Cup draws for ITV and editions of BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek show when regular presenter Garry Richardson has been on holiday.[citation needed]

In 2010, Rosenthal reported for ITV Sport during the opening ceremony for the World Cup.[8]

In September 2010, Rosenthal joined Channel 5 to front their Europa League football coverage.[9] Rosenthal said: "I've covered many different sports throughout my career, but football has always been my first love. It's tremendous to be back covering the game at the highest level."[10] His first appearance was on 16 September 2010 covering the game between Liverpool and Steaua Bucharest from Anfield.

In 2011, Rosenthal became the lead presenter on the boxing channel BoxNation.

Acting

Rosenthal has tried his hand at acting in Renford Rejects and Footballers' Wives.[11]

Awards

He has twice been named as the Royal Television Society's Sports Presenter of the Year. He was the main anchor of ITV's BAFTA winning coverage of the 2003 Rugby World Cup, which took him to Australia for the final.[12]

Personal life

Rosenthal has always been a loyal supporter of his childhood home team of Oxford United. He famously wore an Oxford United hat whilst hosting the ITV coverage of the Milk (League) Cup final in 1986 from Wembley Stadium.[13] On 15 June 2010, Rosenthal was announced as a member of the Oxford United board of directors.[14] He resigned on 11 September 2012.[15]

His son Tom Rosenthal is a comedian and stars in Friday Night Dinner, which began in February 2011 on Channel 4.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Jim Rosenthal chats with Glynn Evans". BoxNation. 2013-01-09. Retrieved 2013-03-09. 
  2. ↑ Long links with city life; http://www.blankgenealogy.com/getperson.php?personID=I1031&tree=Blank1
  3. ↑ "Maud Rosenthal: Oscar Levy's 'daughter-secretary'". The Independent (London). 22 January 2008. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Jim Rosenthal on His Career, Progress of BoxNation". Boxingscene.com. 2012-11-16. Retrieved 2013-03-09. 
  5. ↑ "Debrett's People of Today, Jim Rosenthal, Esq Profile". Debretts.com. 1947-11-06. Retrieved 2013-03-09. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Jim Rosenthal - One of the most familiar faces in television sport.". Performingartistes.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-03-09. 
  7. ↑ "ITV drop Jim Rosenthal after 28 years". Telegraph. 2008-04-12. Retrieved 2013-03-09. 
  8. ↑ "ITV's World Cup 2010 Plans - News". TV Newsroom. 2010-05-27. Retrieved 2013-03-09. 
  9. ↑ Plunkett, John (15 September 2010). "Jim Rosenthal to front Channel 5 football coverage". The Guardian (London). 
  10. ↑ Published Wednesday, Sep 15 2010, 15:00 BST (2010-09-15). "Jim Rosenthal to helm Channel 5 football". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2013-03-09. 
  11. ↑ "Jim Rosenthal - Ask A Silly Question - Interviews". FourFourTwo. 2009-07-31. Retrieved 2013-03-09. 
  12. ↑ "Jim Rosenthal - Sporting TV Presenter". Speakerscorner.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-03-09. 
  13. ↑ Pritchard, David (11 September 2012). "Rosenthal quits in Oxford United bombshell". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 12 September 2012. 
  14. ↑ "'Fans Forum'". Oxford United FC. 15 July 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2010. 
  15. ↑ "Jim Rosenthal quits as Oxford United director". BBC Sport. 11 September 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2012. 

External links

Awards
Preceded by
None		 RTS Television Sport Awards
Best Sports Presenter
1997 		Succeeded by
Des Lynam
Preceded by
Des Lynam		 RTS Television Sport Awards
Best Sports Presenter
1999 		Succeeded by
Mark Nicholas
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