John Doyle

John Doyle is a prominent Canadian journalist, author, and cultural critic known for his work in television and soccer journalism. Here's a comprehensive overview of his professional background:

Professional Career

Television Criticism and Journalism: John Doyle was a long-standing television critic and columnist at The Globe and Mail, working at the newspaper for 22 years, from October 2000 to July 2023.1 He retired from the newspaper on October 1st, 2022, but continued contributing weekly TV columns until the end of that year.4

Writing and Publications: He is an accomplished author with several notable books:

• "The World Is A Ball: The Joy, Madness & Meaning of Soccer" (2010) - A national bestseller published in Canada, the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Croatia, and the United States12
• "A Great Feast of Light: Growing Up Irish in the Television Age" (2005), published by Doubleday Canada1

Expertise and Background

Soccer Journalism: Doyle is renowned for his soccer coverage, having reported from 17 countries across 4 continents. He describes soccer as "a simple game, made complicated by tactics on and off the field".2

Academic Background:

• Educated at University College Dublin
• Completed Masters and BA in Anglo-Irish Studies, English, and History (1975-1979)
• Spent five years in a PhD program at York University
• Worked as a lecturer and seminar leader1

Professional Interests

Beyond television and soccer, Doyle is also:

• A newspaper columnist
• A speaker
• An essayist
• A published poet

His work often explores the intersection of popular culture, sports, and media, with a particular focus on soccer as a global phenomenon and television as a cultural medium.123