Yvonne Sampson free from contract and ready to host Fox League

Yvonne Sampson will take centre stage when Fox Sports launches it’s new dedicated NRL channel Fox League later this month.

The Queensland born presenter will co-host game-day coverage along with Matty Johns.

Sampson has risen rapidly through the ranks as an NRL presenter; at ch9 she hosted the Sunday Footy Show and became the first female to host Nine’s ratings blockbuster State of Origin coverage.

Sampson departed Nine at the end of 2016, however a 6-month non-compete clause in her previous contract could have prevented her starting work at Fox Sports until July 1.

DeciderTV understands Nine has now made the decision not to enforce the clause, the network preferring to concentrate on promotion for its own coverage, which in 2017 will be led by former Sky News presenter James Bracey.

Fox League will commence broadcasting on Monday the 20th of February, during its first week on air the channel will feature classic rugby league matches from the archives.

Live programming on the channel will commence on Monday the 27th of February when Fox’s NRL panel programs return including NRL360, Sterlo, and Matty Johns.

The new channel will broadcast every Premiership game before the Grand Final live, with no ad breaks during play and in HD.

The launch comes ahead of the official season on Thursday, March 2, when the Sharks clash with Brisbane at the Southern Cross Group Stadium.