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Inside MOTD’s ‘new signing’ Kelly Cates’ rise to top, from famous babysitter to brutal reason her footie career ended
LISTENING intently to her dad and his mates’ football chat as a youngster, Kelly Cates could not have had a better preparation to host Match Of The Day.
For her father is Sir Kenny Dalglish — pride of Celtic and Liverpool’s Kop, with a record 102 Scottish caps, three European Cups and a clutch of league titles to his name as both a player and a manager.
Kelly Cates could not have had a better preparation to host Match Of The Day[/caption] Sharing a light-hearted moment pitchside with her dad, Reds legend Kenny Dalglish[/caption]And those mates often included fellow medal-laden Reds Graeme Souness and Alan Hansen, both now top pundits themselves.
Kelly’s one-time babysitter Graeme once said: “She is fantastic at this job because she has been in a football house all her life, listened to the daft chat on football from all of us since she was tiny.
“I’d be in the living room, Alan Hansen would be in there, opinions going out all over. She had a great insight into how this football world works.”
While Kelly has absorbed the game from some of its greatest names, it’s her own deft skills behind the mic that have seen her rise to the very top in sports broadcasting.
Now, alongside friends Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman, the 49-year-old is reported to be about to take over the Match Of The Day presenter’s chair from Gary Lineker.
In a considerable coup for the BBC, reports suggest the corporation has managed to prise Kelly away from Sky Sports to present its flagship football programme.
But she can still expect a text from her dad when she is on air if King Kenny is riled by the punditry from her guests.
She revealed last month: “He texts [when she is on air], especially if my mum’s not there.
Selleck ’tache
“It’s if he doesn’t have anybody to sound off on. He’ll hear a bit of our conversation, and then he will text me to chip in.
“If it really bothers him, he’ll phone me on the way home.”
Born the eldest of four children in Glasgow, Kelly was brought up in Southport, Merseyside, after her dad signed for Liverpool from Celtic in 1977.
Her mum Marina once said: “Glasgow and Liverpool are very similar.
“It’s the people — they are so friendly in both cities. So it was very, very easy for us to settle here.”
At the time Kelly was almost two years old and her brother Paul, who went on to play for Newcastle, Norwich and Wigan, was a baby.
Two more siblings, Lynsey and Lauren, followed.
Liverpool fan Kelly was always immersed in football, and said: “When I was a baby my mum took me to matches to watch my dad play.
My earliest memories are of being in the players’ lounge with the other players’ children
Kelly Cates
“I don’t remember a time when I didn’t go to football games.
“My earliest memories are of being in the players’ lounge with the other players’ children.”
Heroes dad Kenny with family friends Souness and Hansen celebrate Liverpool’s European Cup in 1978[/caption]Graeme — Kenny’s fellow Scotland international — was sometimes roped in for childcare duties.
A black and white photo from 1979 shows four-year-old Kelly poking out her tongue at the hardman midfielder with the Tom Selleck ’tache and bushy hair.
He recalled: “Kenny and I roomed together for ten years or more with Liverpool and Scotland and I was a regular at his place.
“I was single and would turn up for Christmas lunch. I used to babysit — or not necessarily babysit. I’d volunteer to take Kelly out in her pram in the afternoons.
I was single and would turn up for Christmas lunch. I used to babysit — or not necessarily babysit. I’d volunteer to take Kelly out in her pram in the afternoons
Graeme Souness
“Without realising it, she was my introduction to some lovely young ladies. I’d be walking along, and then, ‘What a gorgeous baby, you seen this baby?’ ”
Despite her father’s elevated status as a Liverpool and Scotland legend, Kelly recalled: “When he was home he was just Dad.
“I recall going to a Rod Stewart concert at Ibrox [stadium] once and him being stopped every ten metres walking around the pitch.
“I was about seven and found it so weird — like, ‘What do they want with him?’
“It was the same with his team-mates — to me they were always just Dad’s friends, sitting around arguing about football.”
Her own efforts as a player were not a roaring success.
Kelly with fiery pundit Roy Keane[/caption] Kelly’s pal and MOTD co-host Mark Chapman[/caption]Kelly said: “When I was 11 I was playing football on some concrete. I ran down the wing thinking, ‘Oh, this will be easy’, tripped over and knocked myself out. That was the end of my football career.”
After A-levels in maths, further maths, physics and chemistry, she won a place to read maths at the University of Glasgow.
Then when Sky Sports News was launched in 1998, she made the brave move to give up her studies and join the fledgling station.
She said: “The channel was looking for young people who loved football.
“It was new, and no one was watching, so they pretty much said to us,
“There wasn’t a massive budget but Sky just wanted young, enthusiastic people and they didn’t want to take too much of a risk by putting their best people on it.
‘Go and play at being on the telly!’
“It was a huge decision to leave university, but I thought, ‘This isn’t an opportunity I’m going to get again’.”
On her broadcasting inspirations, Kelly mentions Des Lynam — who fronted Match Of The Day through the 1990s with brilliant understatement — and Gabby Logan, another daughter of a football icon, former Wales international and manager Terry Yorath.
Kelly said: “Des was the gold standard. He had that sense of being engaged with fans and got every single aspect of it right.
“I loved that tone. It’s the kind of tone that I like watching and listening to.
“It kind of makes sense that I’d aim for, but not quite reach, that.
“I always looked at Gabby’s career progress and watched her journey. It was brilliant to see, and even though she’s not much older than me, it felt like she was always the next step.”
It was undoubtedly a male- dominated profession, but Kelly insisted: “I wasn’t a trailblazer.
“There were already people who put the groundwork in, like Gabby and Hazel Irvine. I never have [encountered sexism] but I know other female reporters have.
“Obviously you see a lot more women on screen now, but I’d like to see that backed up in the same numbers behind the cameras as well.
“Now I’m older, I feel much more protective of younger women coming into the industry.”
After Sky Sports News, Kelly worked as an interviewer and presenter for sports channels Setanta and ESPN. Then came work as a reporter for ITV at the 2010 World Cup, and for Channel 4 at the 2012 London Paralympics.
She presented a Football League highlights show for Channel Five before being lured back to Sky Sports in 2016.
At the helm
Originally at the helm for Football League matches, Kelly went on to become one of the most respected presenters on big Premier League fixtures.
Working with Gary Neville, Jamie “Carra” Carragher and Roy Keane, she considers the current era to be a “golden age” for punditry.
She said: “It’s not necessarily the players who play football naturally who talk about it in the best way.
“It’s the ones who really worked at their game. Carra, when he was playing, would go home and watch videos of Franco Baresi and other great defenders constantly, so he learnt.”
Now Kelly — who also hosts a BBC Radio 5 show — is rated among the nation’s very foremost broadcasters by her peers and fans alike.
Her friend and TV colleague Gabby, 51, says Kelly has an “effortless broadcast style and depth of knowledge that can pretty much rival anybody”.
And she added that Kelly can also “disarm the likes of Roy Keane with a single eyebrow when she wants to shut him up”.
Kelly’s formative years immersed in football mean she brings an understanding of the stresses that managers have to cope with daily.
She continued: “I’ve had managers get a bit annoyed by a question but it’s often not me they are angry at. They are under a lot of pressure.”
In 2007 Kelly married TV producer Tom Cates and the couple had two daughters.
They split in 2021, and Kelly said last month: “The girls are with their dad at weekends.
“Although we’re not together, we get on fine and he’s really flexible with the girls, so we manage it mostly between us.
I worked for ESPN years ago and they had a mantra of ‘Take the sport seriously but don’t take yourself seriously’. For me, that’s the best approach
Kelly Cates
“The girls are getting a bit older now and they think they don’t need as much [from us] — that’s what they tell us, but they do.”
In 2021 she revealed she was wary of dating, and added: “I don’t have a picture in my head of why a middle-aged, slightly overweight, mother-of-two could possibly be attractive. It’s not that I’m putting myself down, it’s not a lack of confidence or low self-esteem — it’s that I just don’t know what that would look like.
“I don’t want to spend my precious free time with a random.
“Imagine going out with somebody and you sit there halfway through and think, ‘God, this guy’s an idiot’, you’ve just wasted a babysitter.”
If Kelly has indeed landed sports broadcasting’s jewel in the crown, don’t expect this down-to-earth and seemingly unflappable presenter to start picking up airs and graces.
Last month she said with characteristic modesty: “I worked for ESPN years ago and they had a mantra of ‘Take the sport seriously but don’t take yourself seriously’.
“For me, that’s the best approach.”
Gary Lineker is stepping down as MOTD host[/caption]A HAT-TRICKOF QUALITY TV TALENT
By SHAUN CUSTIS, Head of Sport
YOU may not agree with the BBC’s decision to split presenting duties on Match Of The Day.
But if that’s the way they have decided to go, they could not have picked three better people for the job.
I’ve worked with Kelly Cates many times and she is the consummate professional.
The fact many people didn’t realise she is the great Kenny Dalglish’s daughter speaks volumes for her talent on TV.
She wasn’t handed her career.
She had to prove herself to get the top jobs and did so by developing a relaxed but knowledgeable style which puts guests at ease and chimes well with viewers.
Her fellow presenters, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan, have also more than earned their stripes. Chapman is a brilliant all-rounder who, in my view, is the best sports presenter on radio and TV, while Logan rose up through the radio ranks to host the biggest shows on BBC Sport.
They are a dynamic trio.
World Darts Championship LIVE RESULTS: Gerwyn Price ON NOW, James Wade crashes OUT, Luke Littler waits – updates
THE World Darts Championship is underway at Ally Pally – and there has been a shock exit already!
James Wade became the first seed to get dumped out of the competition courtesy of a 3-0 loss against Jermaine Wattimena.
Gerwyn Price is in action a RIGHT NOW and he faces a tough Keane Barry test.
While teen sensation Luke Littler and his army of fans face a lengthy wait to kickstart his campaign.
- Start time: From 12.40pm GMT
- Live stream: NOWTV / Sky Sports app
- TV channel: Sky Sports Darts
- Explainer: When does Luke Littler play?
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Follow ALL the action from the World Darts Championship with our live blog below…
Jalen Hurts’ remarks to Russell Wilson caught on hot mic after Eagles beat Steelers in brutal battle of Pennsylvania
MICROPHONES were able to capture PHILADELPHIA Eagles star quarterback Jalen Hurts’ words to Pittsburgh Steelers signal-caller Russell Wilson after the Week 15 matchup.
Hurts’ Eagles got the best of Wilson’s Steelers in the battle of Pennsylvania, winning the home contest by a score of 27-13 on Sunday.
Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Hurts speaks with Pittsburgh Steelers’ Russell Wilson after the game at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday[/caption]Philadelphia extended their winning streak to 10 with the win.
The 26-year-old Hurts recorded 290 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, 45 rushing yards, and a score on the ground.
After the game, a clip showed him catching up with Wilson, who led a Steelers offense to just 163 yards of total offense.
The two met at midfield and spoke to one another.
Hurts shared a message with the 36-year-old Wilson.
“I watched you my whole childhood,” he said to the nine-time Pro Bowler.
“You paved the way.”
Hurts continued to talk to Wilson but, unfortunately, the rest of the comments were hard to pick up due to the noise inside of Lincoln Financial Field.
The video then showed Hurts and Wilson embracing one more time and walking off the field.
Wilson finished with just 14 of 22 completed passes for 128 yards and a touchdown in the losing effort.
His only touchdown came on a nine-yard pass to tight end Pat Freirmuth in the second quarter.
Luckily for Wilson, his Steelers still clinched a postseason berth after the Indianapolis Colts‘ loss to the Denver Broncos.
It’s possible the Eagles and Steelers could face each other again this season, but it would have to be Super Bowl 59.
Philly has an impressive 12-2 record for the year while Pittsburgh isn’t too shabby at 10-4.
Wilson has enjoyed a resurgent year, throwing 13 passing touchdowns against three interceptions in eight starts.
Hurts has 18 passing touchdowns against five interceptions and an NFL-best 14 rushing touchdowns.
The Eagles will take on the home team division rival Washington Commanders in Week 15.
The Steelers, meanwhile, will travel to face the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday.
Hurts looks on in the Week 15 game[/caption]Prince Andrew vows he WILL attend pre-Christmas lunch with royals despite calls to stay away after spy scandal
DEFIANT Prince Andrew still intends to rub shoulders with Charles and William at a pre-Christmas gathering at Buckingham Palace this Thursday, The Sun understands.
More than 70 royals have been invited and photos of the extended family arriving are expected to be published worldwide.
Prince Andrew seen driving out of Royal Lodge yesterday[/caption] Prince Andrew and ex-wife Sara Ferguson arrive at Sandringham on Christmas Day last year[/caption]A source told The Sun of the lunch: “Andrew told friends that it’s his family and so he should be there.
“It’s a family occasion, why shouldn’t he go?”
This comes after it emerged the scandal-hit prince will spend Christmas Day away from the Royal Family and his two daughters after agreeing to steer clear of Sandringham.
Andy — under intense pressure to keep out of the public eye over links to a suspected Chinese spy — will remain at Royal Lodge in Windsor with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
Their girls Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have opted to spend the day with their in-laws.
Last year all four attended Christmas at the Norfolk estate.
But Andrew’s friendship with a Chinese businessman, named yesterday as Yang Tengbo, 50, has raised concerns that he would be a major distraction if photographed on the royals’ walk to St Mary Magdalene Church on December 25.
It is believed King Charles did not want to ban his brother from attending the festivities.
But Fergie, 65, is understood to have made Andrew, 64, do the “gentlemanly thing” and not “embarrass” the King at the Christmas morning gathering.
Beatrice, 36, and Eugenie, 34, have also turned down an invitation to Sandringham, having not had a chance to spend recent Christmases with their husbands’ families.
Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 41, have daughter Sienna, three.
They are expecting their second child early next year. Bea also has stepson Wolfie.
Eugenie is married to Jack Brooksbank, and they have sons August, three, and Ernest, one.
The couple split their time between the UK and Portugal.
Suspected spy Yang was banned from entering the UK by authorities last year after he was deemed a security risk.
Yesterday a High Court order, which meant he could previously only be identified as H6, was lifted.
Yang knew Andrew for a decade.
Details of the allegations against him came to light last week when a tribunal upheld a Home Office order banning him from the UK.
He is accused of covert and deceptive activity on behalf of China, and that his relationship with Andrew could be used for political interference.
Andrew said on Friday he has “ceased all contact”.
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have opted to spend the day with their in-laws instead[/caption]Yesterday Andrew was pictured for the first time since the spy scandal broke — behind the wheel of a Range Rover as he drove out of the Royal Lodge gates.
Andrew told friends that it’s his family and so he should be there. It’s a family occasion, why shouldn’t he go?
A source
Despite being urged to keep a low profile he has privately pledged to attend Thursday’s Buckingham Palace lunch.
Andy and Fergie’s decision to stay at Royal Lodge for Christmas Day has avoided them having a tense and uncomfortable dinner with the rest of the family.
Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, said: “I feel the hand of Fergie in this.
“She has a big influence on Andrew.
“He listens to her.
“She would have said, ‘You can’t do this to your brother’.
“I think she must have told him you can’t possibly go to Sandringham and walk to church with the China spy in the news because it would embarrass the King.
“It is a good solution but also the only solution.
“Andrew can still go to Buckingham Palace for the lunch and try not to be seen driving in and out.
“Even if he does it would be nowhere near as bad as walking to church with King Charles at Christmas Day with this scandal hanging over him.”
She added: “It is the gentlemanly thing to do.
“Andrew does not have anything gentlemanly about him but Fergie does.”
Prince William revealed last week that 45 royals will sit down for Christmas Day dinner together at Sandringham.
Last year was Sarah Ferguson’s first appearance on the traditional Royal Family walk to church in more than 30 years.
Following the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, the King has removed Andrew’s funding and private security and has tried to force him out of 31-room Royal Lodge.
But the Duke has mysteriously found ways to fund his lifestyle to remain there — and secured a cut-price security deal.
After Yang’s anonymity was lifted, it was revealed he had helped to broker a deal with Gordonstoun — the private school attended by Charles and Andrew — to open campuses in China and Hong Kong.
It was conducted through his Hampton Group International, which reportedly signed a deal with the school in 2019.
Plans were delayed by Covid, The Daily Telegraph reported.
But last night the school said it had axed involvement with the company.
Yang had previously worked as a civil servant in China before coming to the UK, setting up a tourism business then branching out into other areas.
After he was named yesterday he released a statement insisting he was innocent of claims against him.
Andrew does not have anything gentlemanly about him but Fergie does
Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine
He said: “I have done nothing wrong or unlawful and the concerns raised by the Home Office against me are ill-founded.
“The widespread description of me as a ‘spy’ is entirely untrue.
“I have been excluded from seeing most of the evidence that was used against me.
“Decisions are made based on secret evidence and closed proceedings.
“The political climate has changed, and unfortunately, I have fallen victim to this.
“When relations are good, and Chinese investment is sought, I am welcome in the UK.
“When relations sour, an anti-China stance is taken, and I am excluded.
“I am an independent self-made entrepreneur and have always aimed to foster partnerships and build bridges between East and West.
“I have dedicated my professional life in the UK to building links between British and Chinese businesses.
“I built my private life in the UK over two decades and love the country as my second home.
“I would never do anything to harm the interests of the UK.”
Buckingham Palace declined to comment last night.
Andrew will remain at Royal Lodge in Windsor with Fergie amid pressure to keep out of the public eye over links to Mr Tengbo[/caption]Rob Kardashian shuts down his Grandeza hot sauce and Halfway Dead fashion businesses after complaints of missing orders
ROB Kardashian appears to have quietly shut down two of his business ventures after trying to follow in the entrepreneurial footsteps of his mom Kris Jenner and his famous sisters.
The father-of-one, who has hidden away from the spotlight in recent years, now seems to have taken a step back from being a businessman.
Rob Kardashian attends the Sky Beach Club at the Tropicana Las Vegas in 2016[/caption] Rob Kardashian launched his hot sauce with Kris Jenner four years ago[/caption]He co-founded the Grandeza hot sauce brand with mom Kris in 2020, and bottles were available online and in 7-Eleven stores.
“So delicious, I’ll be putting it on everything,” Kris shared on Instagram at the time.
However, The U.S. Sun can reveal the website is now defunct, and the social media channels for the product have not been updated in months.
Amazon also has the product listed as unavailable.
Some customers complained of missing orders before Rob appeared to have pulled the plug, with one writing on Instagram, “Is anyone else having issues with your order? I’ve tried all ways to get ahold of someone but none of their contact options work.”
The customer added it was their second time trying to order, and claimed they’d already “lost money” on the first after it never showed up.
Another customer wrote on the page: “Did you guys go out of business? I placed an order weeks ago because we love this hot sauce.
“I haven’t received any update on my order. My emails to both support emails are being returned and the phone number is also out of service?”
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Rob’s rep for comment but did not hear back.
The sauce was all-natural and organic, gluten and GMO free, and vegan-friendly, according to the official website.
A description previously read: “Created by an award-winning chef, Grandeza hot sauce combines light tangy flavors with a touch of spice.
“Great for balancing rich meals or to simply add another dimension of flavor.”
The business was also a partnership with fashion designer Nick Tershay, and The U.S. Sun can confirm his Grandeza trademark was abandoned months ago, according to a filing.
TOTALLY DEAD
Rob also launched a streetwear line, Halfway Dead, in 2018.
The brand was a collaboration with Nicky Diamonds, creator and designer of the clothing brand Diamond Supply Co., per PEOPLE.
But anyone who visits the website is now met with a message that reads: “This domain points to Shopify but isn’t configured properly.”
There are no items listed for sale from Halfway Dead on the Diamond Supply Co‘s site, while Halfway Dead, LLC, listed in California, is now suspended, according to business details.
The U.S. Sun could not confirm an LLC listed for Rob’s hot sauce brand.
His first venture, sock business Arthur George, has also not updated its Instagram since 2020, but still appears to have an active web store.
Two years earlier, Rob footed half of the company to mom Kris as he revealed in court documents that he was in $300,000 of debt amid his legal disputes with his ex, Blac Chyna.
“When the business was struggling, my mother infused it with capital to keep it afloat and from her infusion gained a 50 percent share in the company,” he stated.
“Previously, the line’s success was in large part due to my regular posting and general promotion on social media.”
He explained, “Angela’s [Blac Chyna’s] request for a restraining order against me includes various prohibitions on what I could post online.
“In order to avoid any potential future issues, I nearly eliminated my social media presence.”
RECLUSIVE LIFE
He added in the court documents that he no longer owned his own home and that he was struggling to pay his $20,000-a-month child support payments.
Although their legal issues were later resolved, he does not appear to have put much effort into reviving Arthur George.
Rob has struggled to become as successful as his sisters, as he doesn’t like fame and is rarely seen in public.
He chose to step away from Keeping Up With The Kardashians after season 13, and has only returned to the family’s new Hulu series for the odd cameo.
Rob has also mostly stayed off social media, although his sister Khloe Kardashian sometimes gives fans a glimpse of him and his eight-year-old daughter, Dream, with ex Chyna.
He’s been honest in the past about his weight issues but is said to have secretly gotten back in shape in recent years.
During Season 8 of KUWTK, Rob admitted, “I have never felt so down and depressed in my life.
“Like, I’m trying to be in the fashion industry and I am not going to be taken seriously when I am 50 pounds overweight.
‘It’s embarrassing to the family.”
Some years ago, Rob also revealed on the show that he finds it hard to connect with his family who are now multi-millionaires with several different businesses ranging from clothing and beauty to cleaning products.
He said, “It really bothers me when my mom and my sisters gang up on me. It doesn’t really motivate me.
“I understand they want me to be motivated. Of course, I want to be motivated, but it does push me away.
“It’s, like, the same cycle over and over. I just don’t really express how I am feeling and then we just stop talking for months.”
Rob Kardashian’s clothing line, Halfway Dead, was slammed for selling masks during the coronavirus pandemic[/caption] The star presented his Arthur George Socks Collection at Neiman Marcus Bal Harbour in 2012 in Miami Beach, Florida[/caption] Rob Kardashian is now focused on raising his daughter, eight-year-old Dream[/caption]Myles Garrett visits eye doctor after freak injury during Kansas City Chiefs loss left him ‘in pain’ and ‘seeing double’
MYLES Garrett is seeking further treatment after being poked in the eye on Sunday.
The Cleveland Browns superstar defender was left doubled over in pain after the injury.
Myles Garrett suffered an eye injury on Sunday[/caption] Garrett was able to return to the game after getting poked[/caption]Garrett left the game early due to the injury, which he only said “hurts.”
“My eye hurts,” Garrett said.
“I think it was literally the first play. I took my visor off because it was raining, and it was getting kind of blurry.
“It got real blurry and dark after he hit me in the eye.
“It hurt a lot, but I was thinking I might not be able to see at all because I have Lasik, and that’s why I wear the visor.
“Don’t want the flap to go up because if it does, then lights out, and I have to go to the doctor.”
Garrett was able to return to the game after getting checked out.
He was wearing a visor when he returned to the action.
Garrett doesn’t think he is going to miss any time with the injury, but shared that he will see a doctor to ensure he is healthy.
“I should be,” he said about being on the field next week.
“Going to the doctor tomorrow to see if there’s anything else that we didn’t see initially.
“At the moment, just in pain.”
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski had a short message after learning the status of his best player.
“Thank God, he’s OK,” he said.
The Browns weren’t able to pull out a win on Sunday, even with Garrett on the field, as they fell 21-7 to the Chiefs.
NFL important dates
August 1 - Hall of Fame Game - Houston Texans vs Chicago Bears
August 8 – Pre-season begins
August 27 – Deadline for 53-man rosters
September 1 – Final day of pre-season
September 5 – Season opener – Baltimore Ravens vs Kansas City Chiefs
November 5 – Trade deadline
January 5 – Week 18 of regular-season
January 11 – Playoffs begin
February 9 – Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana
Jameis Winston had an awful day, throwing for just 146 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions.
The Browns turned it over a total of six times as a team on Sunday.
“You can not turn the ball over six times and expect to win,” Stefanski said.
“At any level.”
The Browns will face the Cincinnati Bengals next on Sunday.
Drivers fume over $87 fines after they paid to park in lot – then fee increased despite sending proof of payment
A PARKING lot company is under fire for slapping customers with $87 fines after they already paid to use the lot.
Drivers have accused the lot owners of “predatory parking citations” after multiple customers received notices in the mail falsely accusing them of not paying to park in the lot in Denver, Colorado.
Customers at the parking lot pay via QR code[/caption]Attorney Mark Chapleau said he received a ticket from Parking Revenue Recovery Services after parking in the Denver lot to visit some restaurants in August.
However, he was able to successfully dispute it after he showed the company proof he had already paid – but then he was hit with the same ticket after parking there again a month later.
Chapleau said he showed them evidence that he already paid the charge, but the company didn’t take his word for it.
“I have very little concern about whether I’ve got to write an $87 check,” Chapleau told NBC affiliate KUSA.
“I’m more concerned that they’re doing this to a lot of people.”
PRRS and Parkwell, the company that owns the parking lot, said the tickets sent to customers who already paid were due to a technical glitch.
They said both companies are working to void the illegitimate tickets.
Ryan Whitehurst, executive vice president and managing partner for Parkwell, shared a statement acknowledging the tickets.
“Parkwell is dedicated to providing exceptional service to our customers and community,” Whitehurst said in an emailed statement to KUSA.
“We are aware of a recent software integration issue at one of our parking lots that has impacted parking operations and our customers.”
“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and we are eager to assist our customers.
“For those impacted, our customer service team is readily available to assist you.”
However, five people shared complaints about similar incidents with KUSA.
One driver named McKenzie Gunderson said she was driving a rental car and paid via QR code before she was hit with the fee – and then the rental company tacked on a $50 charge after PRRS contacted them about the citation.
How to fight a parking ticket
You can avoid being ticketed by following all posted laws and ordinances, but sometimes mistakes are made
Like any form of citation, parking tickets are preventable by reading and obeying posted signage. However, when visiting a new city, or state, or in a hurry, things can be missed and mistakes are made.
Suddenly there’s a ticket you weren’t prepared to pay for. If the ticket is a surprise to you, there are a few things you can do to help your case when appealing a parking ticket.
- Carefully read the ticket. Look for errors like incorrect street names, license plate numbers, vehicle make and model, time and date, etc. Errors would then make the ticket invalid.
- Take photos. Of the vehicle in the parking space, lack of signage, or other vehicles that weren’t cited for performing the same parking job. If the ticket involves parking too close to something like a fire hydrant, a photo showing a reasonable distance would help your case. Make sure metadata with the time and date are accessible. Signs that are obstructed by trees, or are on bent posts, or aren’t “obvious” are great things to photograph, too.
- Make sure the statute that was violated is listed on the ticket. If not listed, the ticket is not valid.
- Promptly follow the appeal instructions on the ticket. All legitimate tickets will have directions for appeal. Waiting until the very last moment weakens your argument and can result in late fees.
- When in court, avoid these phrases as they reduce your credibility and weaken your argument:
- “I didn’t know the law.”
- “I was on my way to move my car.”
- “I can’t afford this ticket.”
- “I’ve been doing this for years.”
- “I checked with the parking officer, who said it was OK.”
- Contact a lawyer. If you’re running into roadblocks and feel stuck, it may be best to reach out to a traffic lawyer in your area. Many have free case consultations.
Source: Reader’s Digest
“I sent a screenshot of my Apple Card statement showing my purchase with the address of the purchase reflecting that parking lot and the same day, so it all lines up,” she said.
“But they basically said because I didn’t have a receipt from them, that they weren’t going to honor it.”
‘PREDATORY’
Another man named Daron Atkin said he just ignored the collection letter after initially disputing it.
“I followed the law and I paid properly and it’s on my credit card,” he said.
“What more do I need to do?”
Dale Fenton said he received the $87 citation after paying $12 on the day he parked.
“It appears the fines imposed by the state were not enough to teach this company a lesson, as they still appear to be sending out predatory parking citations,” Fenton wrote by email.
ANOTHER SETTLEMENT
As Fenton said, this isn’t the first time PRRS has been called out for its ticketing.
Last year, PRRS settled with Colorado’s attorney general for $75,000 after the company was accused of violating the state’s Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
The company denied all wrongdoing in the settlement.
“PRRS takes customer feedback and concerns very seriously and is committed to ensuring that our parking compliance practices are fair, transparent, and aligned with all applicable agreements and regulations,” John Conway, co-founder and executive vice president of PRRS, said in a statement to KUSA.
PRRS didn’t immediately respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.