New Today sports presenter admits how these two co-stars have “challenged” him

Days after Danika Mason announced she’s leaving the Today Show, her replacement has been revealed.

Michael Atkinson, who has been filling in as a Weekend Today co-host alongside Alison Piotrowski and Lizzie Pearl, will take over as Today’s weekday sports presenter. He officially joined the Channel Nine breakfast program as a permanent fixture earlier this year.

When the news was announced on Monday, October 19, he said it was a privilege to work on the weekend program.

“Not only are Ali and Lizzie exceptional professionals, but they have also challenged me to be a better broadcaster, and we have become close friends,” he shared in a statement.

“The past 10 or so months on Weekend Today have been some of the most enjoyable of my career to date, and I’m eternally grateful for the experience of sharing the desk with Ali and Lizzie.”

The sports presenter also praised the team behind the weekend show, adding that he was looking forward to 2027.

“With two home World Cups next year and Nine’s biggest ever year of sport, it’s going to be epic,” he continued.

“I can’t wait to bring the latest sports news to our viewers.”

He was initially late to the broadcast, but spoke about the joys of this role and his passion for sport. When Tom Steonfort and Sylvia Jeffreys went to introduce him, their cameraman Isaac was on the screen, before Michael sprinted to the desk.

As for his lateness? He joked he called it “Weekend Today time”, in reference to his weekend schedule.

Michael, who hails from Queensland, said this role is a dream come true. Growing up, he played rugby league, cricket, Aussie Rules, tennis and swimming.

Danika revealed her departure from the Today Show on October 16, explaining that she won’t return after maternity leave.

However, she will still be working with Channel Nine, telling Confidential she will return to covering the NRL three months after her baby girl is born.

She is due in December 2026.

“I don’t think I’ll go over to Vegas for obvious reasons. But I’ll be back for round one in Australia,” she explained, adding her daughter might also come along.

“She can come along to some games, especially if they are interstate. My mum has already offered to help, but she can travel with us.”

Briannah Devlin Content Producer

Briannah is passionate about all things entertainment and reality TV, so New Idea is obviously the perfect fit! She is always keen to talk about all things pop culture and reality TV, art, food, and books, and analyse and critique red carpet moments. Before this, she worked for three years as a regional journalist in the Southern Highlands, covering everything from property to the arts and council affairs. Throughout university, she interned across radio, podcasting, print, and magazines while she studied a Bachelor of Communications in Journalism. With a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies also under her belt, Briannah studied French in Australia and then overseas, when she went to live in Bordeaux in the South of France. When she’s not sniffing out a story, she’s reading, doing Reformer Pilates, listening to a podcast, or sewing up a storm.

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