Shane Warne’s rumoured $7,000-a-day gig as a cricket commentator could be in jeopardy after Cricket Australia’s broadcasting rights weren’t renewed to Channel Nine.
In what was reportedly a $1billion deal, Seven West Media and Foxtel were announced as successful in their bid to break Nine’s 40-year partnership with Cricket Australia on Friday.
But it seems the future of presenters who have commentated Nine’s long-running broadcasts remain up in the air.
Shane Warne (centre) revealed there were ‘interesting times ahead’ for himself and the rest of the former Channel Nine cricket commentators after the network lost its broadcasting rights
Warne (pictured with friend, Instagram model Emily Sears) may be looking to continue his commentating streak on Channel Seven
Ex Australian cricket star, Warne, used some choice words to described Nine’s loss to Seven and Foxtel this week.
In an emotionally-charged Twitter post, the former sporting great commended the network for its significant contribution to cricket in Australia.
‘Thankyou (sic) to everyone at Ch 9 for what you’ve done for cricket over the last 40 years. No one has put more money into Australian cricket than Ch 9,’ the 48-year-old wrote,
‘I’m sure many people fell in love with the game growing up listening to the wonderful Ch 9 commentary team. Interesting times ahead.’
Nine was widely criticised for its all-male presenting cast, which included Bill Lawry, Ian Chappell, Mark Taylor, Ian Healy, Shane Warne, Michael Clarke and Mark Nicholas (pictured)
Seven West Media and Foxtel were announced as successful in their bid to break Nine’s 40-year partnership with Cricket Australia on Friday
Warne was among several other former star cricketers, including Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting, to retire from the sport and enter a presenting position.
The trio seem well positioned for a spot on free-to-air network, Seven, with it set broadcast all test matches in a landmark six-year-deal.
Foxtel has been revealed to have rights for One Day Internationals and T20 internationals.
The future of established commentators Ian Chappell and Bill Lawry, along with former Test stars Mark Taylor, Ian Healy and Michael Slater, also seem uncertain.
Foxtel has paved the way for a greater representation of women in the new agreement, having already added all-rounder Ellyse Perry to its books.
In an emotionally charged Twitter post, the former sporting great commended the network for its significant contribution to cricket in Australia this week
Warne may need to alter his Twitter description (pictured), where he currently lists himself as a cricket commentator
Nine was widely criticised for its all-male presenting cast before last summer’s Ashes, which included Bill Lawry, Ian Chappell, Mark Taylor, Ian Healy, Shane Warne, Michael Clarke and Mark Nicholas.
More women are set to be selected for Seven’s coverage, with reports suggesting Lisa Sthalekar and Mel Jones could be strong choices.
Cricket will be absent from the Nine’s repertoire for the first time since Kerry Packer claimed the rights to broadcast during the late 1970s.
The network has however recently won rights to broadcast Tennis Australia events onward from the 2019 Australian Open, having previously been broadcast by Seven.
Mark Nicholas, Graeme Smith and Sharne Warne (pictured) will likely no longer be commentating cricket for Channel Nine