Alison Bender has worked in the sports broadcasting industry for 20 years, most notably with Sky Sports News – but has now shared a disgusting threat she was sent on social media
Sky Sports News presenter Alison Bender has bravely shared a sickening and vile rape threat she received on social media.
The TV anchor screenshotted the disgusting message which included a threat to ‘rape her in front of her kids’. Bender added the image to her Instagram story and shared it with her 19,000 followers.
Accompanying the original message, she said “blocked and reported”, before making two more posts regarding the horrifying exchange.
The second read: “Well, what can I say? Thanks for all your messages including those who say he should be reported to the police.
“The sad part is I don’t really bat an eyelid, many of you are shocked, outraged, angry, sad, but for my female colleagues we know this is pretty commonplace.
“I call it out to hope that it stops but really we need more help for the platforms themselves. You should be verified and accountable.”
She added: “It also makes me worry that I’m becoming immune or numb to what is morally right and wrong because I am exposed to so much of it.
“Anyway, don’t worry about me I’m absolutely fine. And thanks 99% of my followers on here are awesome. The rest can f*** off.”
Bender has enjoyed an accomplished career in sports broadcasting appearing on many major networks, most notably Sky Sports News. She has also appeared on the likes of ESPN and Real Madrid TV, as well as the Premier League’s in-house production team.
In an interview with the Sun in 2020, Bender detailed what it was like to be a female in the sports broadcasting industry – and how she has had to work harder to reach the pinnacle of her profession.
“When I was covering the Champions League, instead of just relying on my knowledge I’d go and research every single Champions League game that ever existed because I was so afraid I would miss something.
“I don’t ever like to dish dirt on my colleagues but I’ve heard men say things on TV that I know for a fact if I’d said them I’d be absolutely hammered and my career would be over.
“A simple slip of the tongue, it’s so easy to make a mistake but as a girl I think you just can’t have that error. Everything is scrutinised.”
She also revealed former England boss Fabio Capello once ‘shooed’ her away from Real Madrid’s training ground, despite working for the La Liga giants’ media team.