News Did the ‘Whispers in the Sky’ controversy cost Channel 9 the TV rights in 2007?

[Jascave]

Even though Channel 9 was outbid for the 2007-11 TV rights by the trio of Channels 7, 10 and Foxtel respectively, did the fallout from the 2005 ‘Whispers in the Sky’ game which raised its head again by former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas in a Herald Sun podcast series on sacked coaches, cost Nine whatever chance they had of retaining the TV rights?

If you remember, after the game, Sunday Footy Show host Tony Jones alleged that he overheard one of the three umpires who was in control of the Fremantle v St Kilda game on a flight from Perth back to Melbourne, ‘Now I know what it feels like to have a victory’, and stood by his claims on the Sunday night news and the Footy Show. And when you consider the AFL was very paranoid about criticism of umpires, could that have been the straw which broke the camels back in the partnership between Nine and the AFL?


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[Kwality]

no chance, money talks.

Did 7 have last right of refusal on that bid?

 

[Shane Heard]

Old chompers would probably like to think he changed the course of history with that breaking story of immense magnitude.

But nah...it’s always about the money.

 

[stmookeyj]

The fact that they couldn't guarantee coverage at a reasonable hour of big games in the important markets (Sydney being most important to advertisers) couldn't have helped regardless of controversy.

 

[Shane Heard]

The fact that they couldn't guarantee coverage at a reasonable hour of big games in the important markets (Sydney being most important to advertisers) couldn't have helped regardless of controversy.

Conflicted with their commitment to Rugby League games too im pretty sure

 

[Paganism mark II]

Nope.
The AFL couldn’t care less, it’s all about the money, money, money!!
Channel 7’s history with the VFL/AFL isn’t rosey....they virtually held them to ransom and all the clubs in the 80’s