Michael Atkinson joins Today as sports presenter
Weekend Today host Michael Atkinson is Today’s new sports presenter.
Atkinson will take up the weekday sports duties after the departure of Danika Mason last week.
Michael Atkinson proving that you can’t go wrong with a black tux. Getty Images for TV Week
“Sport is in my veins. From growing up on rugby league, swimming and cricket in country Queensland, to playing Aussie rules and tennis as a schoolboy, playing and working in rugby union as an adult, and working on netball and the Olympics in the media, I feel connected to every variety of sport,” Atkinson said in a statement.
“With two home World Cups next year and Nine’s biggest ever year of sport, it’s going to be epic. I can’t wait to bring the latest sports news to our viewers.”
He made his debut on Monday’s show, being welcomed by co-hosts Tom Steinfort and Sylvia Jeffreys.
“Obviously, we’re all very sad to lose Danika, but wonderful to have you stepping into the role,” Jeffreys said on air.
“You’re a great operator and a Queenslander, which brings me enormous comfort.”
Atkinson began his media career as a sports presenter for 9News in Queensland and has since become a well-known face on Nine’s Wide World of Sports and Stan Sport.
He later joined Alison Piotrowski and news presenter Lizzie Pearl on Weekend Today in February after a summer stint on the desk.
He will continue hosting Weekend Today until the end of the year and will also continue his rugby union hosting duties alongside Today in 2027.
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