Cricket star Mitchell Johnson slams the ABC after being FORCED to quit his job because he is on the wrong side of the broadcaster’s ‘moral compass’
- Retired test great Mitchell Johnson had to quit commentary role with the ABC
- As Johnson is also employed by Bet Nation, he had to choose between two roles
- A frustrated Johnson questioned ABC’s ‘moral compass’, may work for Triple M
Australian cricket legend Mitchell Johnson has slammed the ABC after he was forced to quit his radio position when he was blindsided by the news he’d broken one of the national broadcaster’s strict rules.
The former fast bowler, 40, walked away when the ABC told him he could not have any ongoing dealings with commercial gambling companies while he’s on their books.
Johnson was due to provide his insight on the airwaves for ‘Aunty’ when Australia take on Zimbabwe in three one-day internationals, starting on Sunday in Townsville.
Johnson, who snared 313 test wickets in a glittering career, is also employed by gambling agency Bet Nation.
He believes he is on the wrong side of the ABC’s ‘moral compass’.
‘I have really enjoyed working with the team over recent seasons and was looking forward to doing it again,’ Johnson told the ABC.
Australian cricket legend Mitchell Johnson (right) has slammed the ABC after he was forced to quit his radio role with the national broadcaster due to his employment elsewhere with Bet Nation
Johnson believes he is on the wrong side of the ABC’s ‘moral compass’ and is considering jumping ship to rivals Triple M
‘There seems to be a lot of hypocrisy that goes with this rule. I don’t understand and you start to wonder about what you can and can’t say if you are calling for them [the ABC].
‘It’s blown me away a little bit … do we have to make sure we have to align with the ABC’s moral compass? There’s nothing I can do about it … that’s the rule and I guess I’m not going to work with them.’
Gambling and leading Australian sporting codes go hand in hand.
Cricket Australia has been in partnership with Bet365 for a decade and has close to 30 ‘approved betting providers’.
The AFL is closely aligned with Sportsbet, as are numerous NRL clubs.
Johnson told The Australian he found it odd that the Australian government, who fund the public broadcaster, raises a significant amount of its revenue from taxes on gambling – yet he was forbidden to work for the ABC due to his conflicting Bet Nation deal, which expires in November.
He is now believed to be weighing up an offer to work with Triple M on its cricket coverage.
Johnson’s management confirmed they received a call from the ABC and were informed there was a ‘problem.’
‘When we explained the policy, Mitch was extremely disappointed,’ his manager Tony Box said.
‘He felt there was a clear double standard in that individuals are being punished yet it’s still OK for the sports themselves and the ABC to be funded via sponsorship or tax revenue from the same industry.
‘He loves doing radio and loved working with the team. He was clear in his instructions not to pursue more opportunities with the ABC with this policy in place.’
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