GRANT Hackett has signed a four-year deal with Channel 9, the strongest sign yet the swimming great will retire from the pool.
He will read the weekend sports bulletin in Melbourne and be a revolving co-host on Wide World of Sports.
He will also be a part of Nine`s commentary team for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the 2012 Olympics in London.
The triple Olympic gold medallist and 1500m freestyle world record holder has admitted he is at the crossroads in his competitive swimming career after returning from the Beijing Games with two silver medals.
But a spokesman from Hackett`s management team, International Quarterback, said Hackett was not hanging up his goggles just yet.
He would make a formal decision when he completed his post-Beijing commitments and returned from a holiday with his wife, singer Candice Alley, at the end of October.
The TV deal casts doubt on Hackett`s participation at the World Swimming Championships next year and the Commonwealth Games, in India, in 2010.
Hackett has vowed never to return to competition once he retires.
The 28-year-old joins the likes of former swim stars Giaan Rooney, Nicole Livingstone, Brooke Hanson and Duncan Armstrong, who have all forged media careers.
Under the deal, Hackett will also be a reporter on Nine`s lifestyle show What`s Good For You.
Hackett was signed to Channel 7, but made the TV switch yesterday after reportedly digging in his heels over Seven`s demand he compete on Dancing With The Stars.
His contract with Seven expires at the end of 2008.
The signing is also a get-square for Nine chief executive David Gyngell, after Seven snared Beijing golden girl Stephanie Rice.
"(Hackett) is not only a champion swimmer but a champion Australian," Gyngell said.
The Australian swimming team captain will replace Heath O`Loughlin at Nine`s weekend news desk.
O`Loughlin leaves in November to join the North Melbourne Football Club.
