Nine TV talent aggrieved at special treatment for stars covering Paris Olympics

Rumours that Olympics stars will pocket $10k a day and fly business class to Paris to cover the upcoming Games have put noses out of joint among the regular Nine staffers getting paid ‘peanuts’.

The Paris Olympics are only 69 days away and Sunday Confidential hears there’s already tension brewing behind the scenes in the Channel 9 broadcasting team.

We hear a few noses are out of joint after Nine chief executive Mike Sneesby let streaming service Stan employ some Olympic stars for a hefty sum, while regular Nine talent “are being paid peanuts”.

Olympic swimming legend Ian Thorpe, cycling star Cadel Evans and former Boomers basketballer Andrew Gaze have been confirmed as commentators, and former swimmers Grant Hackett and Stephanie Rice are rumoured to have also signed on.

“It is rumoured some of these Olympic stars are being paid up to $10,000 a day to feature on Stan’s coverage of the Olympics, have been offered business-class flights and will stay right near where all the action is,” one insider said.

Former Olympic swimmer Stephanie Rice. Picture: Liam Kidston

Ex-Olympian Grant Hackett is rumoured to have signed on to broadcast.

“ … (but) the main Nine team, including the Wide World of Sports commentary team, who will no doubt be doing the hard yards, have been offered peanuts and are staying miles away from where everything is happening in Paris.

“It’s likely their talent managers have haggled for them. Stan and Nine’s sports budgets would likely be very different.”

The Nine coverage of Paris 2024 from July 26 will feature athletic talent as commentators and experts, including Thorpe, Evans, Gaze, Tamysn Lewis-Manou, Ellie Cole, Dylan Alcott, Phil Liggett, Kerri Pottharst, James Tomkins, Kate Bates and David Culbert.

“We are in a privileged position to bring the world’s greatest sporting event free to all Australians,” director of programming and 9 Now, Hamish Turner, has previously said.

“As proud custodians of both the Olympics and Paralympics, we will deliver the ultimate viewing experience, as our proud sporting nation cheers on our incredible athletes in Paris.

“We will offer a unified, seamless experience for every Aussie, no matter their device or platform.

“With more than 40 individual channels and curated highlights, we’re excited to take viewers on an incredible sporting journey”.

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