Warren Tredrea’s ‘inaccurate’ radio comments about Covid vaccine permanently damaged his reputation, Nine News boss Jeremy Pudney tells Federal Court

Axed sports broadcaster Warren Tredrea damaged his reputation by spouting “factual inaccuracies” about the Covid vaccine on a radio show, his then-boss has told a court.

Ex footballer Warren Tredrea arriving at court for his unfair dismissal case against Channel 9. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Axed sports presenter Warren Tredrea’s “factually inaccurate” comments about the Covid-19 vaccine left his reputation “permanently bruised”, the Federal Court has heard.

Mr Tredrea, a former AFL player, is suing Channel 9 for unfair dismissal after his contract was terminated in January 2022.

Channel 9 is arguing Mr Tredrea was dismissed because he refused to get a Covid-19 vaccine, a condition of entry into the network’s Adelaide studios.

On Friday, Channel 9 news director Jeremy Pudney told the court he had been considering not renewing Mr Tredrea’s contract before his vaccine refusal.

Justice Geoffrey Kennett heard that on September 3, 2021, Tredrea had appeared on a radio sports segment broadcast in Adelaide.

Former Channel 9 sports presenter Warren Tredrea leaves the Federal Court during a break in his unfair dismissal lawsuit. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

During the broadcast Mr Tredrea had made comments about AFL players being forced to be vaccinated and that the vaccine was a “trial” and only for “emergency use”.

Mr Pudney said the comments had caused him significant concern.

“It was not his role as a sport presenter to be making comments on such a hot-button issue,” he said.

“He needed to be careful of damaging Nine’s reputation and product – it was my opinion his comments could and did have that affect.

“I also expressed some concerns about Warren’s factual understanding of the vaccine.

“It was not constructive to launch off on a hot-button issue and have a factual inaccuracy as well.”

Mr Pudney said those comments had “permanently bruised” Mr Tredrea’s reputation.

Simon Ower KC, for Mr Tredrea, asked Mr Pudney if the Channel 9 news broadcast ratings had been significantly higher in the lead-up to his client’s dismissal.

Chief of Staff at Nine News, Jeremy Pudney, arriving at Federal Court. Picture: NCA NewsWire: Naomi Jellicoe

“Were we winning – no, were our ratings stable and good – yes,” Mr Pudney said.

Mr Pudney said Mr Tredrea’s onscreen performance had also caused him concern.

He said Mr Tredrea had not improved sufficiently since signing his previous contract and that would be taken into account when the next contract came to be considered.

Mr Ower suggested Mr Pudney was now exaggerating his concerns in order to justify the Channel 9 argument Mr Tredrea would not have had his contract extended past 2022 in any event.

Mr Pudney rejected that claim.

The court heard Mr Tredrea offered to try to find a way of being able to broadcast himself without coming into the studio.

Mr Pudney said those alternatives were considered but none were found to be viable.

The trial continues.