Media Street: Channel 7 in bold plan to lure Nick Riewoldt home from USA

There is a push inside Seven headquarters to have Nick Riewoldt be the face of a new show. And it’s not the first time they’ve come at him with a bold offer.

Fox Footy's Jonathan Brown, Garry Lyon and Nick Riewoldt. Picture: Jason Edwards

Nick Riewoldt could return home for the AFL finals under an audacious plan by Channel 7.

There is a push inside Seven headquarters to have the currently US-based Riewoldt be the face of a new panel show which is being pencilled in for the run-in to September.

The network made a massive play for the former St Kilda champion last year before he shocked the industry by putting his media career on hold, hightailing it to America with his family.

Riewoldt’s contract with Fox Footy, where he had become one of the highest profile football analysts in the country, expired at the end of 2022.

No decision has been made about whether Riewoldt is going to return permanently to Australia, with one source suggesting it was “still very much 50-50”.

His manager Tom Petroro is currently overseas on holiday, returning next month when he will address Riewoldt’s future.

Seven came knocking at the end of last year with a mega offer which included football commentary and, more importantly for the former Saints skipper, pivoting into a lifestyle career path with other programs on the network.

After his impressive appearance and win on Channel 10’s MasterChef All Stars series in 2021, where he showed off his passion for food and “guilty pleasure” baking prowess, it was no secret Riewoldt was keen to pursue non-football related TV opportunities.

Nick Riewoldt (right) with former On The Couch co-hosts Jonathan Brown and Garry Lyon. Picture: Jason Edwards

Seven has come in for criticism over its lack of AFL content outside of game day as the free-to-air rights holder. The proposed new show isn’t expected to be a re-launch of Talking Footy, which was last seen back in 2020.

Having a big new name like Riewoldt to be the front man would be a dream scenario for Seven.

Riewoldt’s wife, Catherine, is from Texas and they married in 2012 in Waco. Late last year they moved to Houston where their young children James, Will and Teddy spent time at a local primary school.

He has kept his toe in the media, making a surprise appearance on ESPN’s coverage of the Super Bowl in Arizona.

Riewoldt interviewed Jordan Mailata and ex-Saint Arryn Siposs, the two Australians who featured in the Super Bowl.

He has also kept up to date with all things AFL in a weekly podcast, Footy Talk, where he is a rotating host alongside his good friend and former teammate, Leigh Montagna.

Riewoldt made a brief return to Australia last month, when he flew a group of his close friends to Cobram Estate – he is an ambassador for the olive oil company.

The posse on the chartered plane included his Fox Footy colleague Garry Lyon, superstar actor Eric Bana and radio host and former Carlton champion Brendan Fevola.

Originally published as Media Street: Channel 7 in bold plan to lure Nick Riewoldt home from USA