- Richmond legend Dustin Martin announced his retirement from footy in August
- Speculation had mounted he could join up with Damien Hardwick at Gold Coast
- The three-time Norm Smith Medallist could now be set to step into a new career
Richmond legend Dustin Martin could be set to step into broadcasting after he was pictured having a coffee with multiple television powerbrokers on Tuesday, according to reports.
Speculation has swirled in recent months that Martin, 33, could re-ignite his footy career after announcing his retirement in August.
Some had even claimed that the three-time premiership winner could move north to the Gold Coast to play under former Tigers coach Damien Hardwick.
Martin, though, appeared to pour cold water on those rumours at Richmond’s best and fairest awards night last month, claiming he was ‘happily retired’.
But it seems Martin may have a new venture on the horizon and could join up with Fox Footy for the upcoming season, according to The Herald Sun.
It came after the three-time Norm Smith Medallist was pictured enjoying a coffee with Foxtel boss Patrick Delaney and Fox Sports managing director Steve Crawley on Tuesday.
Ex-Richmond star Dustin Martin could be set to join up with Fox Footy after he was spotted meeting with powerbrokers from the broadcaster on Tuesday
Rumours had swirled that the 33-year-old inside midfielder could return to the footy pitch and join up with former coach Damien Hardwick
Ex-Tigers team-mate Jack Riewoldt, who regularly appears on Fox’s show AFL360, was also sat at the table, alongside Martin’s manager Ralph Carr.
Martin’s agents who declined to comment on the reports. Daily Mail Australia have also contacted Foxtel for comment.
It comes amid a huge upheaval in the Australian sports media landscape, with several presenters and pundits swapping to join rival broadcasters.
Channel Nine presenters Kane Cornes, Caroline Wilson and Craig Hutchison all moved to Channel Seven while ex-Geelong forward Tom Hawkins, who also retired at the end of the season, linked up with Fox Footy.
He was followed by ex-Hawks star Shaun Burgoyne who will leave Channel Seven to join Fox.
Martin announced his retirement in August, but could now step into broadcasting
Fox are making huge waves in the broadcasting space with the network set to commence a new rights deal in 2025.
The landmark deal will see the broadcaster ‘supercharge’ its coverage of the AFL, with at least the first eight rounds nationally and first 15 rounds in Victoria being shown live, in 4k and advert-free.
In a statement released in October, Foxtel Group also said: ‘In 2025, viewers can expect more surprises in the commentary box. Watch this space.’
Martin’s addition to Fox Footy’s line-up would be a huge victory for the broadcaster, considering the powerful inside midfielder’s stature in the game.
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