Rio Ferdinand has left TNT Sport following more than a decade with the broadcaster.
Mail Sport revealed in March the former England and Manchester United captain was set to quit at the end of the season in a major blow for the station.
Insiders at TNT have insisted that the decision was ‘an amicable parting of the ways’ but it is understood that Ferdinand was the driving force behind the move.
The 46-year-old has a growing portfolio of business interests, along with a young family, and recently his management company New Era signed a partnership with Beverly Hills-based talent agency giants WME.
Ferdinand, who has a following of more than 30m across various platforms, was offered a new contract by TNT some months ago, but it went unsigned, much to the dismay of bosses. The door remains open, and he may return for certain elements of coverage next season.
In a statement released at noon today, Ferdinand said: ‘I have made the difficult decision to step away from TNT sports after the Champions League final.
Rio Ferdinand has announced his exit from TNT Sports after 10 years of broadcasting
He reportedly plans to relocate to Dubai with his wife Kate nine years after meeting her there
They are ‘seriously considering’ relocating with their children and have looked at houses
‘Since retiring from football it has been a privilege talking about the game I love for a decade for sports fans watching on BT Sport and TNT Sports.
‘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.
‘To everyone at TNT Sports, we have a brilliant end to the season to look forward to on Saturday and for now all focus will be on what I think could go down as one of the great European finals.
‘The network continues to thrive with more rights than ever. I know I look forward to following its progress and the exciting future that lies ahead.
‘Lastly I would like to thank my family and my management company New Era for their ongoing support. They have supported me to travel all over Europe following the best players and watching the best matches.’
A switch in focus to the US would make sense. With the World Cup taking place across the Atlantic next year, WME are focussing on securing opportunities in the US for Ferdinand both on and off the screen. They currently represent the likes of Ryan Reynolds, Jessica Alba and Maggie Gyllenhaal.
‘I’m excited about what the future holds, spending more time with my family focusing on Rio Ferdinand Presents and my other business interests,’ he added. ‘I hope to stay connected with all of you in different capacities. Thank you once again for everything.’
He is reportedly planning to move to Dubai with his wife Kate Ferdinand. They share kids Cree and Shae, while Kate is also stepmother to Lorenz, 18, Tate, 16, and Tia, 13, from Rio’s marriage to late wife Rebecca Ellison.
According to the Sun, Ferdinand and Kate are ‘seriously considering’ relocating with their children and have already started looking at swanky properties and schools.
The couple would base themsleves in The Gulf and travel back to the UK for work, giving Rio opportunity to boost his business portfolio aboard.
The 46-year-old has a host of other business ventures, including Rio Ferdinand Presents
Rio and Kate, who married in 2019, met back in 2016 through mutual friends while they were both on holiday in Dubai (pictured)
The couple would base themsleves in The Gulf and travel back to the UK for work, while also giving Rio opportunity to boost his business portfolio abroad
A source told the publication: ‘Rio and Kate are seriously considering being based out in the Gulf and are looking for a sprawling home with plenty of bedrooms.
‘They love the lifestyle and sunny weather and have lots of friends out there. It’s a very safe place for families and offers a healthy lifestyle, which suits them well.’
‘It holds a special place in their hearts as that’s where they met and both could easily travel back and forth for their work commitments in the UK’.
MailOnline contacted their representatives at the time of the report.
Rio and Kate, who wed in 2019, met back in 2016 through mutual friends while they were both on holiday in Dubai.
Kate marked eight years since she met her husband as she shared a heartwarming throwback snap of the couple together in December.
The couple were back in the UAE to ring in 2025 with Kate sharing a cosy snap of the them enjoying a night out.
Alongside the post, she wrote: ‘Rio and I met eight years ago yesterday.
A source said: ‘It holds a special place in their hearts as that’s where they met and both could easily travel back and forth for their work commitments in the UK’
‘Who would have thought that fast forward to now we would be back in the place we met, married, with two more beautiful children, five in total
‘It’s crazy to think that a chance meeting, and so many hurdles thrown our way we would be ready to see in the new year as a family of seven (just missing our Lorenz).
It come after the couple watched the footballer’s eldest son Lorenz make his senior football debut.
He made his debut for seventh-tier-side Havant and Waterlooville and secured a 3-1 win, after joining on work experience.
His Manchester United star father was in attendance for the match at the Alfred Davis Memorial Ground in Marlow, alongside Kate.
