News

Jul 21, 2023

ESPN's Shaka Hislop collapses on air before Real Madrid

ESPN soccer analyst Shaka Hislop is recovering after a scary incident in which he collapsed on live TV ahead of Sunday night's Soccer Champions Tour match between Real Madrid and AC Milan at the Rose

ESPN soccer analyst Shaka Hislop is recovering after a scary incident in which he collapsed on live TV ahead of Sunday night's Soccer Champions Tour match between Real Madrid and AC Milan at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

Hislop was in the middle of a pre-game segment on the Rose Bowl pitch alongside ESPN soccer studio host and play-by-play commentator Dan Thomas when he grew wobbly and collapsed. Thomas could be heard shouting for medical attention before the broadcast cut away.

Minutes after the incident, Thomas shared on Twitter that Hislop was conscious and being attended to by medical professionals.

At halftime of the broadcast on ESPN, Thomas provided a further update on Hislop.

"Obviously my mate Shaka is not here but as it stands, it's good news," Thomas said. "He's conscious, he's talking. I think he's a little embarrassed about it all. He's apologized profusely – not a man who likes people to make a fuss over him.

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"Obviously far too early to make any sort of diagnosis, but the important thing is that Shaka is conscious and we spoke to his family as well, because you imagine seeing that happen live, there can't be many things that can scare you more as a family.

"Fortunately, we spoke to his wife and things are looking OK. … Thank you for all your love and as it stands, Shaka looks like he'll be all right."

Hislop gave an update on Monday, saying he would seek out the best medical opinion and listen to his doctor. He thanked those who helped him after the collapse, plus those who reached out.

Hislop, 54, played goalkeeper for several Premier League teams during a 15-year career, including Newcastle, West Ham, Reading and Portsmouth.

In 2006, Hislop was the starting goalkeeper for Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean nation's first ever World Cup. He retired in 2007.