A leading female rugby league pundit who works for the BBC, Channel 4 and Sky Sports, has been accused of sexual assaulting a woman.
Danika Priim, 40, a former England rugby league ace, played for Bradford Bulls, Leeds Rhinos and England during a six-year career before turning her hand to sports commentary and pitch-side reporting.
Priim, currently a vice-president of the sports governing body The RFL, was charged with sexual assault and is due in court next month.
It is alleged she ‘intentionally touched a woman aged 16 or over’ at Horsforth Cricket Club in West Yorkshire on July 22, 2022.
It is alleged Priim assaulted the woman ‘when she did not consent’ and she ‘did not reasonably believe’ that the alleged victim was consenting.
Priim, of Keighley, West Yorkshire, appeared before Leeds magistrates’ court last week.
The case was sent to Leeds Crown Court, where the former prop forward is due to appear on March 13.
No pleas were entered during the hearing.
Danika Priim, 40, is a former England rugby league ace who played for Bradford Bulls, Leeds Rhinos and England during a six-year career before turning her hand to sports commentary and pitch-side reporting
Priim, currently a vice-president of the sports governing body The RFL, was charged with sexual assault and is due in court next month
Priim retired from rugby league in 2021, after a career in which she won every major domestic honour and earned international honours for England.
The former teacher began sports commentating after stepping back from the game in 2021, appearing on the BBC and Sky television and on radio.
She was also part of Channel 4’s Super League production in 2022, where she was nominated for the prestigious Broadcast Sport Awards.
In 2022, Priim was being named as part of the BBC team for the Rugby League World Cup, describing her appointment as a ‘dream come true’. She also covered the Olympic rugby 7s at the Paris 2024 games.
In September last year, Priim was appointed as vice-chair of the Rugby Football League, alongside president Adam Hills, the presenter of Channel 4 talk show The Last Leg.
In a LinkedIn post at the start of the year, Priim told followers: ‘A little late to the party but HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
‘2024 I turned 40, left my job as a teacher and worked my dream job at the Olympics.
‘I’ve developed my broadcasting skills and roles, hosted award ceremonies from a Concorde, had the privilege of going to so many events, openings and awards dinners!
Priim was part of the Leeds team who secured the Challenge Cup and Super League double in 2019
‘I became a TOP TRUMP and was asked to be the Vice President of the RFL (12 year old fan girl Danika could never have even dreamed it)!
‘I’ve worked with tennis icons, insane athletes and some of the most talented individuals behind the scenes of it all, some I now call close friends who continuously put up with my questions & queries!
‘I’ve had the freedom to travel when I like and got to see so many live musicians!
‘If 2025 is even a fraction of fun and success I’ll be happy!!
‘Here’s to a healthy, happy, prosperous and bloody brilliant year for us all.’
Last year Priim told how she had considered quitting punditry after receiving abuse and threats over social media.
She said: ‘I love what I do. I absolutely love every second of it. I’m in a phenomenal opportunity that I get to go and do loads of new things. But is it worth the day or two where I have cried?
‘You know, getting inbox messages from people direct messaging me to say that they want to slit my throat because I didn’t like their team.
Priim made her England debut in 2015 and represented the national squad in the 2017 World Cup in Australia before retiring aged 37
‘I have thought what’s the point? I have thought about stopping doing it at the end of last year. But then you remember that the people who employ you are the ones whose opinions matter.
‘I’d say 90% of the time it’s okay, but the other 10% can be a really rough ride.’
Priim made her Leeds Rhinos debut against her former club Bradford Bulls in 2018 and went onto make 29 appearances, scoring three tries.
She was part of the Leeds team who secured the Challenge Cup and Super League double in 2019.
Priim made her England debut in 2015 and represented the national squad in the 2017 World Cup in Australia before retiring aged 37.
She is also a classically-trained ballet dancer.
