Incredible cost of Shane Warne’s state funeral revealed: Eddie McGuire says it was worth every cent

Incredible cost of Shane Warne’s state funeral revealed – but cricket fans and Eddie McGuire say legend’s farewell was worth every cent of taxpayers’ money

• Legend’s farewell defended by McGuire 
• Many fans say expense fully justified 
• State funeral was held last March at MCG 

By Tara Cosoleto For Australian Associated Press and Shayne Bugden For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 05:00 BST, 12 April 2023 | Updated: 05:00 BST, 12 April 2023

Melbourne media personality Eddie McGuire has defended the reported $1.6million price tag for Shane Warne’s state funeral, saying the service did more than honour the cricket legend.

The funeral took place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in March last year, four weeks after Warne died from a heart attack in Thailand.

The two-hour service cost taxpayers more than $1.6m, The Age newspaper reported on Wednesday.

Mr McGuire confirmed his production company JAM TV was allocated $1m to broadcast the service across the country and internationally.

But he defended the price tag, saying it not only honoured Warne but allowed Victorians to mourn.

Pictured left to right: Warne’s children Brooke, Jackson and Summer delivered heartbreaking eulogies at the state funeral last March

A production company owned by Eddie McGuire (pictured speaking at the service) was given $1million to broadcast the event nationally and internationally – with the ex-Collingwood boss insisting they made a loss  

‘In a lot of ways, we saw this as being Victoria’s funeral,’ Mr McGuire told 3AW on Wednesday.

‘I had to bury my mother with 10 people in the room at the funeral and I got great succour out of the fact that we all came together for a collective funeral in the name of our great mate Shane Warne.’

More than 55,000 people attended the free service, which featured remote performances from Elton John, Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Robbie Williams.

Former cricketers including Australian captain Allan Border and West Indian great Brian Lara also spoke in a panel at the funeral.

Mr McGuire said the service had to take place at the MCG because the ground’s Shane Warne stand needed to be unveiled.

He also said the service promoted Melbourne to the world after years of lockdown.

‘It didn’t need to have these things done – no but we did because it went around the world,’ he said.

‘I had executive producers from Hollywood ringing me the next day who I’d never heard of, who just said we saw this, this was incredible.

Many cricket fans said the $1.6million cost of farewelling the legend was great value for money

‘We put our heart and soul into this because we loved Shane and we love this city.’

Mr McGuire denied his production company made any profit from the service, saying it instead ran at a loss.

Fans joined the former Collingwood boss in defending the outlay.

‘We all got together and had a lovely time remembering him. Money well spent,’ wrote one.

‘Wonder how much revenue Warnie’s appearances brought to the state during his career? Be a lot more than $1.6m,’ added another.

The service for Warne (pictured with teammate Stuart MacGill) attracted tributes from celebrities like Kylie Minogue, Elton John, Greg Norman and Kelly Slater  

‘Given he was one of the greatest sportspeople and most famous Victorians of all time who was loved beyond the game itself and internationally that seems like a bargain to me,’ added a third fan.

‘My first thought was “is that all?” Seems pretty reasonable for an event like that,’ Tweeted another supporter. 

State funeral venues are selected following consultation with a person’s family, with the site often having a special connection to the deceased.

A state government spokeswoman said the service was about honouring a person’s outstanding service to Victoria.

‘They afford Victorians an opportunity to mourn, celebrate and to recognise extraordinary contributions to our great state,’ the spokeswoman said.

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