Laura Woods has confirmed she has left her role at Sky Sports after more than a decade, while she will now front ITV’s coverage of the NFL.
The popular presenter first joined Sky Sports as a runner in 2009 before becoming a regular fixture on Super Sunday in 2018, reporting pitch-side and interviewing players and managers before and after matches.
She also anchored coverage of Carabao Cup matches for the channel, as well as presenting other sports such as darts.
However, viewers had noticed her absence from the first two matchdays of the new Premier League season and during her talkSPORT show on Tuesday, Woods appeared to let slip that she was no longer part of Sky.
During a passionate defence of Tyrone Mings after his character was attacked by Graeme Souness, Woods said: ‘I remember watching [Ming’s interview] because I was part of Sky at the time.’
That led to speculation she had left the broadcaster, and when she was asked on Twitter if that was the case, she replied: ‘I have, yes.’
Woods’ departure will come as a surprise to viewers, though the Mirror reported last year that her decision to join DAZN – one of Sky’s biggest rivals for boxing coverage – had ‘raised eyebrows’ among the channel’s executives.
In addition to fronting the streaming service’s UK boxing coverage, Woods is also talkSPORT’s breakfast show presenter from Monday to Wednesday and has been hosting ITV’s coverage of the England women’s team since last year.
On Wednesday, ITV announced they had agreed a deal to show NFL highlights, as well as the London Games and Super Bowl, for the next three years with Woods presenting the coverage.
ITV won the rights from BBC and long-serving pundits Osi Umenyiora and Jason Bell have switched channels to continue their roles – though they will now be joined by Woods after working with both Mark Chapman and Dan Walker previously.
‘I’ve been a fan of the NFL for many years,’ said Woods of her new role, having also covered the sport earlier in her career with Sky.
‘With the new season just weeks away, I’m thrilled to be part of the team that will bring ITV viewers its best action and biggest stories each week.’
Bell added: ‘Osi and I are excited to be working with Laura and I know that our passion and energy will be exactly what existing NFL followers expect from us, as well as opening the eyes of new fans.’
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