Eddie Mcguire has weighed in on the current bloodbath at Channel Seven that has seen a number of on-air personalities defect to rival network Nine.
The Herald Sun reported that the former Nine CEO said ‘legal action may be around the place’, in the wake of Footy Classified panel stars Kane Cornes, Caroline Wilson and Craig Hutchison jumping ship to Seven ahead of the 2025 AFL season.
Kane has already confirmed his move while it has been reported that Caroline is under contract with Nine until December.
Her contract includes a restraint clause that would mean she couldn’t begin with Seven until halfway through 2025.
Speaking in Melbourne at the Carbine Club Lunch at Crown on Tuesday, Eddie was still unsure if the show would air on Tuesday night saying tensions had been rising.
‘Footy Classified tonight, who’s going to be on it we’re still not sure, I’m waiting for a phone call to come through as we speak.’
‘Some legal action may be around the place, it’s all getting very hotted up.’
The show did air on Tuesday night with Cornes, Wilson and Hutchison on the panel.
Eddie Maguire has weighed in on the current bloodbath at Channel NIne that has seen a number of on-air personalities defect to rival network Seven
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel Nine for comment.
Former Port Adelaide premiership-winner Cornes, veteran journalist Wilson and media identity Hutchisonwill all jump ship, with the latter to use his TV production company to aid Seven’s footy programming.
The trio were set to preview the AFL decider with Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd.
The Herald Sun reported that the former Nine CEO said ‘legal action may be around the place’, in the wake of Footy Classified panel stars Kane Cornes, Caroline Wilson and Craig Hutchison jumping ship to Seven ahead of the 2025 AFL season
Lloyd is set to be frustrated at the situation, telling 3AW Radio on Monday night: ‘I’m bitterly disappointed, but no one is bigger than the show.’
Footy Classified was rescheduled for Tuesday this week following the staging of the Brownlow Medal on Monday.
According to News Corp, the likes of Eddie, Geelong great Jimmy Bartel and footy reporter Damian Barrett were told to be on standby as the broadcaster examines its options.
Hutchison – along with Wilson – was one of the original panellists on Footy Classified, now in its 18th season.
Cornes, who is known for his outspoken views, announced his switch in August.
Speaking in Melbourne at the Carbine Club Lunch at Crown on Tuesday, Eddie was still unsure if the show would air on Tuesday night saying tensions had been rising
He ruffled a few feathers at Seven before even starting at the network following his recent brutal takedown of Richmond legend Trent Cotchin.
‘It [criticism] got back to me,’ Cornes said on the Howie Games podcast.
‘They [Seven] were really, really upset by it (the segment parodying Trent Cotchin).
‘That made me feel a little bit guilty.’
It came after Cornes made a now infamous video where he mocked Cotchin’s delivery on camera in his new role as an AFL analyst.
The show did air on Tuesday night with Cornes( pictured) Wilson and Hutchison on the panel
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