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Report: Sponsor to quit Footy Show

Nissan will reportedly part ways with AFL show at the end of the season, following comments by Sam Newman.

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AFL Footy Show sponsor Nissan will end its sponsorship of the show following comments by Sam Newman directed at Nine colleague Caroline Wilson, according to a media report.

Defending radio remarks by Eddie McGuire, Newman said, “The jig’s up Caro, honestly and truly. You are becoming an embarrassment. Even if you were under water you’d still be talking.”

He also took aim at online media outlets for reporting the comments, saying “As no-one reads, watches or listens to them because they’re in second-tier media outlets, I won’t bother. But if you spray a piece of excrement with perfume or put after-shave on a piece of excrement at the end of the day it’s still a piece of excrement.”

Fairfax reports Nissan will end its sponsorship at the end of the 2016 season, following a meeting with GTV9 managing director Ian Paterson and Nissan Australia chief executive Richard Emery last week.

A Nissan spokesperson previously said, “The comments made by Sam Newman that were broadcast on The Footy Show last week do not align with Nissan’s brand values and we have discussed this matter with Channel Nine.

“As you would expect, Nissan’s ongoing marketing and sponsorship arrangements are commercial in confidence.”

GTV9 Managing Director Ian Paterson said it would review partnerships with sponsors at the end of the season.

“I’m not going to specifically address any of Sam’s comments but I can confirm that we’re completely supportive of him as we are Caroline Wilson,” he said.

Media watchdog ACMA is yet to confirm if it will again investigate Newman over his latest on-air remarks.

Nine declined to comment further.

6 Responses

  1. The sponsors are a bit like the viewers- slowly falling off.
    Problem is, is that there isn’t a decent Aussie Rules program on television. Most of them are driven by egos.

  2. Maybe they were thinking of not re-signing or just looking for a reason to get out. Anyway pretty sure 9 won’t be happy.

    Anyway another sponsor will jump on board.

  3. aka We weren’t going to renew our deal anyway so lets get our brand in the news for a few days.
    I’m surprised there hasn’t been outrage after they were subtly taking the piss out of what’s happened the past few weeks on wednesday’s show.

    #slownewsday

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