Channel 9 host Danika Mason’s sad relationship news after massive career step

Popular presenter Danika Mason has scored one of the most prized roles in Aussie TV, but her private life is being turned on its head.

Channel 9 presenter Danika Mason has scored one of the most prized roles in Australian TV — but it means she will be saying goodbye to boyfriend Liam Knight.

The couple will reportedly continue to see each other via long-distance with the former Bulldogs star moving to play for Hull FC in the UK Super League.

As first reported by Code Sports, the pair are committed to continuing their serious relationship which will leave them on opposite sides of the world for most of the year.

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Mason last week celebrated the news she has been promoted to replace Alex Cullen as the new sports presenter of Nine’s Today show.

The 33-year-old is in Las Vegas covering the NRL’s season-opening weekend in the United States.

Danika Mason has been appointed new sports presenter for Nine’s Today show. Picture David Clark

Danika Mason with partner NRL player Liam Knight attending Sam Burgess' wedding. Credit: Instagram.

The popular presenter and 30-year-old footballer were seen enjoying an off-season holiday together in October. Their romantic relationship was confirmed publicly in July. It has since been confirmed they began seeing each other in February, 2024,

Because of their professional commitments — with Knight playing through to the Super League finals in October — they will spend seven months apart.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports Knight has set himself up financially for life after football, but has made the move to the UK to extend his career into a 10th season.

Veteran journalist Danny Weidler said it has been an “emotional time” for Mason.

The former Sunday Footy Show host was given her new breakfast TV gig after Alex Cullen was sacked.

Cullen was stood down after accepting a $50,000 payment from Melbourne entrepreneur Adrian Portelli for spruiking the businessman, aka “The Lambo Guy”, during a cross from Nine’s Australian Open tennis coverage.

The network has spent the past month testing candidates for Cullen’s role.

Roz Kelly was an early favourite for the role.

Olympic swimmer Cate Campbell also auditioned for the role. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Well-respected mother-of-two Kelly emerged an early favourite internally within Nine however Olympians Ellie Cole and Cate Campbell also tried out for the role along Nine sport reporter Zac Bailey.

It has been a rollercoaster 12 months for Mason.

She joined Nine in 2012 as a newsroom intern before moving to the sports department as a producer.

A reporting role later followed.

Her 2023 relationship breakdown with Sydney fitness trainer Todd Liubinskas created headlines after the couple’s engagement was called off three weeks before Mason was due to walk down the aisle in the Hunter Valley.

Rumours of a relationship with Martin began swirling just four months later.

Mason was a consummate professional throughout Channel 9’s broadcast of the 2023 NRL Grand Final just weeks after her wedding plans collapsed.

Meanwhile, Liubinskas also appears to have completely moved on, going public with sex book author Helen Chik in June.

Mason’s move to Today means Nine producers are now looking for a new host for its live match coverage. Code Sports reports Emma Lawrence is the leading candidate.

Originally published as Channel 9 host Danika Mason’s sad relationship news after massive career step