Yvonne Sampson, Jessica Yates Go Head To Head In NRL Finals Ratings Battle

Jess Yates and Yvonne Sampson

The Channel Nine-Fox Sports ratings battle at Sunday’s National Rugby League Bulldogs-Panthers elimination final "will be hosted by two women for the first time in rugby league and television history," according to the Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH. Fox Sports "promoted Jess Yates to hosting duties to oppose Nine’s ­Yvonne Sampson as the networks go head to head in a fierce fight for viewers." Yates, who has hosted V8 Supercars and covered Big Bash cricket, "joined the Fox Sports league commentary team this season." Fox Sports Live Sport Dir Steve Crawley said, "She is a genuine good operator who knows her footy." Ironically, it "was Crawley in his old job as director of sport at Channel Nine who launched the career of Sampson on the network’s rugby league coverage." This "is the first year the two networks have gone head to head in the finals." Fox Sports "picked up the live finals rights" as part of the $2B ($1.5B) (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 9/10).