Radio giant Ray Hadley signs new $10 million deal with 2GB

Radio giant Ray Hadley has signed a new $10 million contract with radio station 2GB.

Broadcaster Ray Hadley has signed a new $10 million contract with radio station 2GB.

He has agreed to the new deal with Nine Entertainment that takes him through until 2026.

Hadley has won 148 straight surveys since taking over the morning time slot in 2003.

“After ongoing discussions with Tom Malone and my wife Sophie I’ve decided to extend my contract until the end of 2026,” Hadley said.

“There were a number of factors involved. I’m feeling better than I ever have.

“I have a great work, life balance thanks to my wife, children and grandchildren and the lure of more grand finals, more state of origins and next year’s Paris Olympics where I’ll be the lead commentator for swimming and track and field made me think I’d keep going.

“I’m just not ready to retire.”

Broadcaster Ray Hadley has signed a new $10 million contract with radio station 2GB.

Away from his morning show, the new deal means Hadley will reach a couple of major milestones in rugby league broadcasting including his 100th State of Origin game.

When he started calling in 1987 Hadley was mentored by legendary caller Frank Hyde who had retired from calling a few years earlier at 2SM.

This year Hadley will eclipse his boyhood idol when he calls his 34th Grand Final. Hyde, an NRL hall-of-famer, broadcast 33 grand finals including the replay in 1977.

Ray Hadley at home with wife Sophie. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Hadley has won every ratings survey since 2004

He will commentate at his 7th Olympic Games

Next month Hadley will call his 94th State of Origin and in the first game of 2025 will go past his great mate and legendary broadcaster Ray Warren when he racks Origin number 100.

By the time his current contract is up in 2026 he’ll have called 105 Origins. Given that will have taken him 40 years it’s unlikely to be beaten.

Nine Radio’s managing director Tom Malone said Hadley’s work ethic was “unmatched” and thanked him for his loyalty to 2GB.“Every day at 9am our listeners, right across Australia, tune in for Ray’s take on the day’s news and sport, as he sets the national agenda and provides great laughter and entertainment along the way,” he said.

Consistent performer... Ray Hadley has topped the airways for four decades. Picture supplied

THE MAKING OF RAY HADLEY

The ascension

Hadley has one of the most illustrious radio careers in Australian history, winning every ratings survey since 2004.

But his broadcasting career had a far from illustrious start. He was a part time cab driver, jumping behind the wheel three times a week to make ends meet.

The secret to success

“I got a tip from a very old radio broadcaster now past, Gary Ocalan back in the 1980s. He asked me my name.

“I said Ray Hadley and he asked ‘do you think you can be him, can you be yourself?’

“And I think that’s what’s happened over the past four decades, I’ve tried to be myself and not put on any acts. If I’m angry I’m angry, if I’m happy I’m happy, I’m sad I’m sad.

“And it appears to have worked.”

Worst interview

Hadley has interviewed hundreds of people but there’s one that stands out for all the wrong reasons.

An avid Seinfeld fan, he interviewed Michael Richards who famously played Kramer in the series.

“He was uncooperative, he wasn’t funny, he was aloof and halfway through the interview we took a break and I said ‘mate I don’t think you want to be here, it’s probably better if we finish things up’and I terminated the interview.

“That was a great shame because the character Kramer from Seinfeld is an incredible and complexcharacter and he wasn’t, he’s just rude.”

Favourite sporting moments

“Year 2000s Ian Thorpe’s anchor wins in the men’s 4x100 in the pool and then about a week after Cathy Freeman’s 400 wins,” he said.

Speaking on his all-time origin moment he reminisced on the miracle try of Mark Coyne but said that moment might not be as sweet for NSW supporters.

Proudest moments behind the mic

Hadley has had many memorable moments but they’ve been two issues he holds close to his heart and one he’s proud to have played a part in.  

“I’ve been an advocate promoter for Motor Neurone Disease and we’ve seen inroads there but not enough.

“And secondly my support of kids with cystic fibrosis” — Elliot Stewart