More info on the corrupt dealings of Mitchell and Seven and how they shut out legitimate bidders. If there’s a stench here there certainly should be an investigation into the Fox/Seven Cricket rights which seem just as corrupt.
What can actually happen in either case now though? A handful of $200,000 fines and public backlash? Ten still get no major summer sport.
And anyone convicted will be disgraced with their reputation in tatters.
Also “banned from working as directors for life” - can’t be a director of a company or organisation again, not even their own - which is pretty much their job description.
Can’t seem to find Seven’s statement on ASX website though.
Harold Mitchell, has resigned from his position as chairman of Free TV chairman subsequent to allegations of withholding information from the Tennis Australia board.
Update:
Statements from FTV and Harold Mitchell:
How can Seven even attempt to defend those leaked emails? Well, no, sorry that’s what publicity is for I suppose. But it remains what was said was said and the media and public are now aware. It makes Mitchell in particular and certain members of the SWM board/executive look fishy and all this just looks so so bad, can’t imagine what inner circles at Ten especially and also Nine are making of this. ASIC and Free TV will probably only crack down more into this.
And as CMO mentioned, wouldn’t be surprised one day (as it’s taken years for this to get action moving) the recent Cricket Australia, Seven/Nine/Ten broadcast negotiations are also brought up.
Where are you getting that from? Who has said the emails were leaked from Seven?
So, I’m referring to the ones that surfaced some years back and again this week. ASIC wouldn’t have come across them without a leak that’s for sure. A mystery as to whom and even TV Blackbox questioned as to who has brought all this to ASIC recently.
Thanks for that.
Why is this all coming out now? The deal was made in 2012.
Most of it was known back then, there was a lot of media talk, but it’s more focused now and more details with ASIC officially taking action.
Nice to hear you’ve come around to that view.
Harold Michell is the one being investigated. He was on the TA board, allegedly providing them with info. Seven have nothing to defend at this point.
No, when I said that, I meant in reality nothing will probably happen (not that I didn’t want it looked at).
Todd called the matches off-tube at the Seven studio
If the claims made by ASIC are proven to be correct, Mitchell should be punished to the fullest extent possible
There was a stench back then about all of this. Shame it has only come to fruition now. Seven shat the bed at the thought of losing the tennis. But having board members in cahoots is diabolical.
All explosive and very interesting, filthy tactics.
But what also raises my eyebrow is this at the end:
“The Australian Open will this year be shown on Nine, publisher of this masthead , after the company paid $348.5 million to secure the broadcast rights until 2024”.
Also, what is a “ratings bonus” (as claimed in a table provided in the article, apparently showing a small part of the rights is money for how well it rates?)