Today sports presenter Danika Mason has announced her departure from the Today show, as she prepares to welcome her first child with her partner Liam Knight.
She confirmed her departure in an announcement live on-air on Friday, saying that she is going on maternity leave a week earlier than expected “on doctor’s orders”.
“I’m going on maternity leave as we probably are all aware, but I’ve had to make the decision on what I do when I come back next year,” she began.
“And obviously juggling all my NRL commitments, the Today show, and then a new baby as well – something had to give, so I’ve made the pretty tough decision. When I return next year, I won’t be coming back to the show.”
Mason said she cherishes the time she spent on the show, after being is Nine for 14 years and joining the Today show in February 2025, replacing former Today sports reporter Alex Cullen who was axed from the show after the incident where he accepted a $50,000 cheque from Adrian Portelli.
“We have the best audience, we have the best team, and it has been just such a fun two years,” she said.
Her Today co-hosts Tom Steinfort, Sylvia Jeffreys and news presenter Jayne Azzopardi shared their support for her decision.
“We are going to miss you and the viewers are going to miss you even more, I know that,” Steinfort said.
Jeffreys said she was “selfishly sad” Mason would not be coming back, but fully supported her decision, wishing her luck on the new chapter of her life.
“The best chapter for you lies ahead, for you and Liam, and we’re so excited to see you enter your mum era. You’re going to be absolutely incredible. That is a lucky little baby,” she said.
Mason was “so excited” for her next chapter as a mother.
“We are so excited but it’s also so sad to close a chapter as well,” she said.
“It’s been two years with an incredible team, everyone works so hard. It was a decision that I toyed with, to and fro, backflipped here and there.”
“Selfishly, we thought we had the pleasure of your company for another week or so, but on doctor’s orders, you have been told to hang up the microphone early, and we are very excited for what’s best for you,” Steinfort told her.
The couple will welcome their first child in December, and Mason confirmed she would return to Nine to cover the NRL after her maternity leave.
“I’ll see you in March next year for the footy,” she said.
In a separate interview with news.com.au she said: “Ultimately, with motherhood around the corner, something has to give, so while I’m devastated to farewell the Today family and our incredible audience I am very excited to return to covering rugby league when I return in 2027 for Nine’s biggest ever year of sport”.
Image: Nine
