Rory Smith (journalist)
Rory Smith | |
|---|---|
| Born | Leeds, England |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist, broadcaster, author |
| Years active | 2010s–present |
| Known for | Football journalism, broadcasting, authorship |
Rory Smith is a British journalist, broadcaster, and author specializing in football. In 2024, he became part of The Athletic after holding the position of chief soccer correspondent at The New York Times since 2016. Prior to that, Smith contributed to The Times, The Independent, and The Daily Telegraph.
Career
In collaboration with Rafa Benitez, Smith co-authored the 2012 publication Champions League Dreams. His 2016 work, Mister: The Men Who Gave The World The Game, earned a spot on the shortlist for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year and was recognized by FourFourTwo magazine as one of the top 50 football books.
Smith released Expected Goals: The Story of How Data Conquered Football and Changed the Game Forever in 2022, a book that delves into the transformative influence of data analytics on football.
As a regular voice on BBC Radio 5 Live, Smith has also contributed articles to ESPN, The Blizzard, and FourFourTwo. He frequently appears on podcasts including Second Captains, The Anfield Wrap, and The Totally Football Show. Additionally, he co-hosts the weekly podcast Set Piece Menu alongside Hugh Ferris, Steven Wyeth, and Andy Hinchcliffe. His television credits encompass appearances on Sky Sports Sunday Supplement as well as TNT Sports broadcasts covering UEFA club competitions.
Awards
Smith received high commendation from the Sports Journalists' Association in 2015 and was nominated for writer of the year at the Football Supporters Federation Awards in 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019, winning the accolade twice in 2015 and 2019. The podcast he hosts, Set Piece Menu, earned nominations for ‘Podcast of the Year’ at the 2018 Football Supporters Federation Awards and was shortlisted again in 2020 and 2021 by the Football Supporters' Association.
Personal life
Rory Smith hails from Leeds.