TNT SPORTS have finally confirmed Rio Ferdinand’s replacement for the season ahead of their debut Community Shield coverage.
The broadcaster kicks off its season showing top-flight teams with a Wembley head-to-head between Premier League champions Liverpool and FA Cup winners Crystal Palace.
Gareth Bale is Rio Ferdinand’s replacement as TNT Sports pundit
Gareth Bale has joined TNT Sports as one of the broadcaster’s main pundits this season, according to The Guardian.
The deal for the 2025-26 campaign will see the former Real Madrid and Wales forward work on the broadcaster’s coverage of the Premier League and Champions League.
Bale will join TNT’s lineup of former Tottenham team-mate Peter Crouch and Chelsea legend Joe Cole in their live coverage of the Premier League on Saturday lunchtimes.
Owen Hargreaves, Steve McManaman, Ally McCoist and Karen Carney will also be among the broadcaster’s pundits for next season.
The former international winger reportedly impressed TNT executives with his analysis of Tottenham’s victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final.
It is a bold move from the broadcaster after Ferdinand and Bale locked horns during the match, awkwardly disagreeing in reaction to Brennan Johnson’s goal, which sealed his former side’s first trophy since 2008.
The 36-year-old has become a familiar fixture for TNT viewers, having previously been used in their coverage of Liverpool’s Champions League group game against Real Madrid.
Ferdinand announced the end of his 10-year relationship with the broadcaster at the conclusion of last season.
X @footballontntRio Ferdinand announced he would no longer work for TNT Sports[/caption]
X @footballontntBale was part of the TNT Sports team for the Europa League final[/caption]
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Ferdinand has been one of their most recognisable faces on TNT since joining in 2015 under the channel’s previous name BT Sport.
His departure was in order to pursue other business interests and to spend more time with his family.
He said: “After 10 incredible years, I have made the difficult decision to step away from TNT Sports after the Champions League final.
“Since retiring from football it has been a privilege talking about the game I love for a decade for sports fans watching on BT Sports and TNT Sports.
PAFerdinand’s time at TNT finished after 10 years at the end of last season[/caption]
“I want to acknowledge the tremendous support from the team behind the scenes, whose hard work often goes unseen, but has been essential to our success.”
The Ferdinand-Bale switch-up is just one of a host of changes for the broadcaster this season.
TNT has exclusive rights to 52 Premier League matches this season, 32 of them 12.30pm Saturday kick-offs and two complete midweek rounds.
The midweek fixtures will be spread from Tuesday to Thursday, with kick-off times of 7.30pm and 8.15pm in an attempt to increase viewing figures.
TNT also has exclusive rights to every Champions League, Europa League and Conference League fixture other than one Tuesday night Champions League game, which will be streamed by Amazon Prime.
They have also secured a four-year deal to show FA Cup games, though the BBC will still air a total of 14 matches, including two quarter-finals, one semi-final and the final.
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