Salmon, who was appointed by Greg Dyke in 2000, is to become CEO of independent production company the TV Corporation.
During his period at the helm, BBC Sport’s fortunes have rallied. The public broadcaster had seen large chunks of its sports portfolio disappear but has since regained the coveted Premier League highlights package, the Derby, the Six Nations and the FA Cup.
While the Boat Race was lost to ITV, 2004 was considered one of the BBC's most successful in recent years for sport coverage.
Salmon will leave this summer and BBC Sport's head of major events, Dave Gordon, will take over until a permanent successor is found.
