Braith Anasta hits back over cruel comments about his appearance - as he announces exciting career news
The former NRL star turned sports presenter has officially extended his deal with Fox Sports through to the end of the 2028 NRL season – and he's celebrating the news with some trademark humour.
Taking to Instagram on Monday, the 43-year-old shared an emotional post thanking his supporters and reflecting on his journey from footy field to prime-time punditry.
'DREAM BIG KIDDOS, block out the noise, surround yourself with good people and work your f**king a**'s off!' he wrote.
'Always striving to be the best I can possibly be.
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'Thank you to my family, friends, work colleagues and everyone who has and is supporting me along this incredible journey. There is no way in the world I'd be here without every single one of you.'
But it was what happened in the comments that had fans in stitches.
Underneath the heartfelt post, Aussie beer brand Bloke In A Bar cheekily wrote: 'The more success you have the better your tan gets.'
Never one to miss a beat, Braith fired back with a tongue-in-cheek reply: 'My tan = my driving force ' - proving he's got just as much wit as he does work ethic.
Anasta - who retired from the NRL in 2014 - has carved out an impressive second act as the host of NRL 360, which he took over in 2022.
Ratings have surged since, with insiders crediting his fresh, confident style.
Anasta - and his fellow Fox Sports host Matty Johns - have recently signed upgraded deals that will see them through to the end of the 2028 NRL season as streaming giant DAZN makes moves after buying Foxtel.
The global streaming giant's recent purchase marked a huge shake-up in Australian sports media, with the company expected to soon begin negotiations for a broadcast deal with the NRL.
Anasta, who retired from rugby league in 2014, has transitioned seamlessly to working in the media and has become a household name among footy fans.
In 2022, he took over as the host of NRL 360 and ratings have been on the up ever since.
'We didn't realise Braith was going to be this good,' Fox Sports boss Steve Crawley told News Corp.
'He's done a remarkable job, and I have a suspicion he's going to continue to get better.'
Anasta's deal is said to be lucrative, but the exact figures remain undisclosed.
'When you put hosts in, sometimes they think they've got to present like the people before them,' Crawley said.
'With Braith, he's got a new way of presenting sport that is very much a 2025 contemporary way.
'They've got to be themselves. His work ethic is unbelievable, and he's world-class.
'We're delighted to have him for another three years.'
Anasta took to social media over the weekend to confirm that he was extending his contract and thank those who have helped him along the way.
'Dream big kiddos, block out the noise, surround yourself with good people and work your f**king ass's off,' he posted.
'Always striving to be the best I can possibly be.
'Thank you to my family, friends, work colleagues and everyone who has and is supporting me along this incredible journey. There is no way in the world I'd be here without every single one of you.'
Beyond his role as a Fox Footy pundit, Anasta also runs the sports management company Searoo, which represents NRL stars including Cameron Munster and Lachlan Ilias.
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