ABC faces backlash among fans after dropping cricket legend Glenn McGrath: Take the poll

Herald Sun cricket fans have erupted over the ABC's shock axing of game great Glenn McGrath over his bet365 partnership. Read what they said.

Tom Wenn

2 min read

November 19, 2025 - 4:58PM

Former Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath has been dropped by the ABC over a betting company deal. Picture: Ian Hitchcock

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Herald Sun readers have responded mostly with disgust and indignation after the ABC dropped fast-bowling legend Glenn McGrath from its cricket commentary team due to his association with a sports betting company.

McGrath is slated to partner with bet365 over the summer — and the agency is the corporate sponsor of the McGrath Foundation’s Pink Test in Sydney — which the ABC asserted was a violation of its policy banning its employees from having links to gambling companies.

As a result of the breach, the ABC scratched McGrath from its coverage of the Ashes this summer.

Scores of Herald Sun readers criticised the ABC’s treatment of McGrath, imploring the publicly-funded broadcaster to respect the Test cricket great, with nearly 250 comments on the Herald Sun story breaking the news by 5.30pm, Wednesday.

Ian: “Whether he is, or is not, associated with a betting agency is immaterial. What he has done to assist the research and treatment of breast cancer in Australia FAR OUTWEIGHS the ridiculous stance of ABC Radio! Pathetic!”

Corey: “So dumb. Pigeon (McGrath) is not going on there to promote or talk about the betting agency. He’s commentating on the cricket.”

Ken: “For all outstanding work Pigeon has done for Aus Cricket and now Breast Cancer Nurses and the ABC’s ludicrous Woke Department kicks him out. FOR SHAME!”

McGrath and his wife Sara Leonardi at the state memorial service for former Australian cricketer Shane Warne at the MCG in 2022. Picture: Getty

Several commenters labelled the ABC hypocritical for its anti-gambling stance while being funded, in part, by taxes from gambling revenue

Cameron: “The ABC, run and owned by the government (aka taxpayers) is paid for including the very taxes raised through gambling. Irony.”

Michael: “It’s the Huge taxes paid on gambling that help pay for the very expensive ABC to operate ??? (they often forget were their funding comes from – all of us tax payers )”.

But some chose to defend the ABC for its prohibition on associations with gambling

Bruce JM: “It’s fair enough. Gambling is a scourge for so many families and individuals. The gambling company may pinkwash its reputation a bit via the McGrath Foundation but that’s not a reason for the ABC to break its rules”.

Andrew: “This is a solid decision. The ABC is still the most trusted media organisation in Australia and this is a fair and reasonable response to a potential or perceived conflict of interest.”

Steve: “Finally a media company taking a stand against the gambling industry. Well done ABC. Tough for McGrath, but I’m sure he’ll survive.”