NRL puts radio partners on notice after Latrell Mitchell breaks expletive laden post-match interview

The NRL have put their radio partners on notice in the wake of Latrell Mitchell’s disastrous post-match interview, banning them from filming after complaints from the Rabbitohs and Channel 9.

The NRL have put their radio partners on notice in the wake of Latrell Mitchell’s R-rated interview last week, warning them over filming post-match chats and urging them to portray the game in a positive light.

In an email sent to the game’s radio partners, which was obtained by this masthead, NRL general manager of business and commercial operations Ben Champion said audio partners had no visual rights to NRL games.

He also reminded them that promoting the game in a positive manner was in everyone’s best interests.

This masthead understands the email was sent to all the game’s radio partners after concerns were raised by Nine Entertainment Co and some clubs including South Sydney in the wake of Mitchell’s blockbuster interview on Triple M with broadcaster Ben Dobbin.

The NRL have warned their radio partners over Latrell Mitchell’s R-rated post-match interview. Picture: NRL Photos

Mitchell has been under siege after using the f-bomb four times during the interview, although he has escaped a sanction from the NRL.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo is expected to meet Mitchell as early as Thursday to discuss the matter.

In the meantime, the NRL could be headed for a showdown with their radio partners after sending an email reminding them of their rights.

“Radio partners have audio only rights to NRL matches, and no visual rights,” the email reads.

“Accordingly, radio partners must not visually record or film any match or on-field activity, including on-field interviews.”

The NRL also reminded their radio partners of their obligations regarding field access and their presentation of the game.

“Radio partners are reminded that promoting both the NRL competition and rugby league is general in a positive manner is in our mutual interests,” the email reads.

“To that end, the production and communication of NRL matches and any editorial piece relating to rugby league more generally, should provide balance commentary, uphold the integrity of match officials, recognise players expectations around privacy, and not emphasise or focus unnecessarily on negative aspects of play including on-field or off-field incidents.”

Triple M, which has taken the Mitchell interview off its social media sites, has been filming post-game interviews for 18 months without an issue.

They do the same with their cricket and AFL coverage. The matter has only become a concern in the NRL because the network has recorded two blockbuster interviews over the opening two weeks of the season - the first with Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu and then with Mitchell.

MITCHELL BREAKS SILENCE ON RADIO RANT, SOUTHS STARS BACK UP LATRELL

—Pamela Whaley, Brent Read

South Sydney superstar Latrell MItchell has broken his silence on his expletive-laced interview last week, insisting there as no intent or malice in his comments and urging everyone to “move on”.

Mitchell is expected to meet NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo this week after swearing five times in 30 seconds during a post-match interview with Triple M following his side’s loss to Brisbane last Thursday.

The Rabbitohs fullback is expected to avoid sanction from head office, although his teammates revealed a swear jar had been introduced at training. Captain Cameron Murray also suggested Mitchell would be more selective with his language if he had his time over again.

In response to a post by Fox League on instagram outlining Murray’s comments, Mitchell wrote: “There was no intent. No malice. Let’s move on. Great week ahead. Friday night lights.”

He then posted an image of a rooster and a bunny, a reference to Friday night’s blockbuster between Souths and their arch enemies the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium.

Latrell Mitchell breaks his silence via his Instagram story following controversial radio interview.

SOUTH SYDNEY STARS BACK LATRELL

A brand new swear jar is already full at South Sydney thanks to Latrell Mitchell.

The tongue-in-cheek response by his teammates is about as serious as the club is taking the fullback’s expletive laden interview with Triple M, which has stirred up a storm of criticism online.

Mitchell swore five times in 30 seconds in a post-match interview after a 28-18 loss to Brisbane over the weekend.

And on Monday Cameron Murray and Jack Wighton said he’d probably take it back if he had the chance.

“I swear a lot, just not in front of the camera but that’s me,” Murray said.

“The good thing we do at this club is embrace everyone and empower everyone to be themselves.

“I’m sure if Latrell had his time over again he’d be a bit more selective with his words but that’s what happens when you grab someone 30 seconds after a game, emotions are still running high and you have a competitor who just wants to win and there’s a lot of frustration in the air.

“I don’t see too much wrong with it.”

Latrell Mitchell with Jack Wighton, who will play his first game for the club on Friday against the Roosters. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Wighton, who is set to make his club debut for Souths against arch rivals the Roosters on Friday night, is a close friend of Mitchell’s.

He joked about the new swear jar but admitted he will have a word to his mate.

“We’ve got a motley crew here, but behind closed doors, we’re trying to knock that on the head. The (swear) jar is already full, so we’re starting a new one,” he joked.

“I had a look at [the interview] this morning. I’ll be honest, he could have dealt with things in a better way.

“But it’s Trell, and things seem a bit bigger when it’s Trell.

“We made [a pact] over the off-season that even if it’s right or wrong, we need to tell each other the truth. And we won’t be perfect.

“He’s got a big heart. It could have been handled differently, but it’s not something we’ll carry on about.”

The offensive language is considered by some to be a bad look for the game and the NRL have warned Mitchell about being respectful when speaking to fans via the media.

The live interview aired shortly after the game finished in Brisbane, at around 10pm NSW time, but it didn’t blow up online until it was posted to social media via Triple M’s Instagram page.

Murray said any outrage about the language is an over-reaction.

“That’s Trell being his authentic self, if you deep dive into it a little bit, I know people are asking how he’s supposed to be a role model for kids, but I think it’s unfair to judge him on one interview. I also think in an indirect way he’s showing people that’s his true self and he’s giving people permission to be their true selves,” he said.

“You can look at it how you like, but that’s how I see it.

“Everyone swears these days, you can’t put a podcast on without hearing swearing, you can’t scroll through social media without swearing. That’s the world we live in.”

Originally published as NRL puts radio partners on notice after Latrell Mitchell breaks expletive laden post-match interview