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Michael Tomalaris departs SBS

Cycling analyst and SBS World News presenter has departed after more than 30 years with SBS.

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Cycling analyst and SBS World News presenter Michael ‘Tomo’ Tomalaris has departed from SBS after more than 30 years with the network.

He joined SBS in 1987 when Les Murray asked him to provide commentary for a National Soccer League match, returning full-time in 1992 as a commentator for NSL games, Socceroos and Olyroos international broadcasts.

SBS issued a staff email this week confirming one of their longest-serving members of the SBS Sports team and its cycling anchor was “moving on.”

“Mike has been with SBS for more than 30 years, first joining in 1987 as a football commentator. Over that time he has worked across our football coverage including a number of FIFA World Cup tournaments, as well as playing a key role with SBS’s extensive cycling coverage, which has included hosting the Tour de France since 1996. Beyond sport, he has also been a presenter and reporter for SBS World News,” it read.

Tomalaris declined to comment and an SBS spokesperson would not elaborate on the reasons behind the abrupt departure.

“Mike Tomalaris is moving on from SBS after more than 30 years with the network,” a spokesperson told Guardian Australia. “We wish him well for his next chapter.”

SBS is yet to confirm future presenting for Tour de France.

4 Responses

  1. I remember in the late 90s he was also a substitute host of Toyota World Sport when Les Murray wasn’t hosting. Around that time, the usual evening viewing pattern in my household was 6pm Prime Local News, 6:30 whichever British sitcom was on ABC (or Gardening Australia on Friday nights), 7pm Toyota World Sport.

    Invariably around 7:15 there was about five minutes of highlights of a minor tennis tournament on a clay court somewhere, and as was common with foreign vision at the time, the colours were always just a bit wonky. Good times.

  3. Sad to see Michael Tomalaris leave SBS. He has done an amazing job on the Cycling Coverage over many years. Not just on the Tour de France, but the other smaller events too. Sure, i tuned in sometimes for the nice scenic shots, but “Tomo” added that special touch to the coverage.

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