Richard Fleming joined the Colorado Rapids in March of 2013, bringing nearly 25 years of experience as a sport journalist. In his position, Fleming oversees the club’s television and radio coverage, contributes to regular content for both the Rapids and Altitude, the club’s television broadcast partner, and serves as the studio host and play-by-play commentator for Rapids games on Altitude.
A native of Sandhurst, Berkshire, Fleming started in sports journalism in 1989 in local newspapers in southern England, covering league football and other sports. After six years in newspapers and another five in local radio on the BBC, Fleming moved to the BBC World Service in London in 2000 and traveled the world covering major sporting events, including two FIFA World Cups, the Confederations Cup, five Africa Cup of Nations, European Championships, as well as three MLS Cups.
After leaving the BBC in 2011, Fleming carried out work for several organizations, including Arsenal TV, the ITF, the London 2012 Olympics, IMG, Perform Media, Chelsea Radio, TennisTV, ESPN and the Tennis Radio Network. His career highlight - so far - was calling the 2010 World Cup semifinal match between the Netherlands and Uruguay for the BBC, and counts having a rifle lodged under his ribcage as he tried to enter the soccer stadium in Cairo during the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations as a lowlight. In 2005, he was the first BBC sports journalist ever to enter North Korea, where he covered a World Cup qualifier and dined with the surviving members of that country’s historic 1966 World Cup team.
Fleming is joined in Colorado by his wife, Nicky, and three children: Jessica, Charlotte, and James.