Behind the Scenes: A Correspondent’s Journey in Global Sports
At The New York Times, the Times Insider offers a glimpse into who we are and how we operate, providing fascinating insights into the intricate process of our journalism. My official title is global sports correspondent, a designation that, upon reflection, carries a weight that might seem a bit inflated. While “correspondent” evokes a sense of seriousness, “sports” brings to mind excitement and enjoyment, and “global” suggests a life filled with travel and adventure.
The role can be daunting. The world of sports is vast, and the globe itself is expansive. As a global sports correspondent, the expectation is to focus on the monumental, the immediate, and importantly, the distant. However, there are times when a story worth telling is found in the most unexpected of places—even if it means dedicating months of reporting to a narrative originating from a local waste management facility.
For a long time, I had the desire to explore the story of the Keighley Cougars, a Rugby League team located just a short 17-minute drive from my home in Yorkshire, England. In 2019, this club underwent a significant transformation when it was purchased by Ryan O’Neill and Kaue Garcia, a married couple. This landmark acquisition made them the first openly gay owners of an elite men’s sports team in Europe.
The implications of this milestone in Keighley felt profound. The northern parts of England are dotted with towns like Keighley—once thriving hubs of industry, particularly in textiles, that have since suffered economic decline, leaving them stripped of their former vibrancy and, in many cases, their optimism.
What initially drew my attention to this story was the revelation that the new owners had discovered Keighley to be remarkably different from their preconceived notions. The community welcomed them with open arms. They proudly displayed the rainbow Pride flag at numerous points throughout the stadium, signaling an embrace of inclusivity. The fans and the surrounding populace quickly rallied around their new owners, showcasing a spirit of acceptance and support.
When I first met Ryan and Kaue this spring, they shared their experiences, painting a vivid picture of their unexpected journey. Seated in the modest hospitality suite at Cougar Park, they recounted how the town and its people had continually surprised them at every turn, reinforcing the notion that change and acceptance can flourish even in the most unlikely of places.
