Time On: Fox Sports journo David Zita goes viral after apologising for sending out the wrong information

Fox Sports journo David Zita has received widespread praise after admitting he sent out the wrong mail on Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli.

David Zita has gone viral after apologising for sending out the wrong information on Marcus Bontempelli.

Time On is your wrap up of all the footy gossip and banter.

Footy reporter David Zita has gone viral for a unique reason — he apologised for sending out the wrong mail.

In an interesting turn of events, the Fox Sports journo backtracked and owned a mistake with information he posted on Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli and a new deal being imminent.

“I tweeted earlier a deal was close for Marcus Bontempelli and an announcement should come in the next week or so on a three-to-four year extension. That was not accurate and I apologise, that’s on me. Should be better at my job than that and wasn’t on this occasion.”

David Zita and podcast co-host Ash Williams. Picture: Fiona Hamilton.

Zita has been widely lauded for his admission but was caught off guard by the praise.

On his podcast, Get a Kick, alongside comedian Ash Williams, Zita said: “I got that from someone I trusted, someone you would think would know and then I was told quite categorically from multiple people that wasn’t the case. The information wasn’t accurate so I just felt I needed to put something out there. I didn’t realise it was so rare, a couple of senior coaches messaged me which was very kind (saying) we respect that accountability.”

I tweeted earlier a deal was close for Marcus Bontempelli and an announcement should come in the next week or so on a three-to-four year extension. That was not accurate and I apologise, that's on me. Should be better at my job than that and wasn't on this occasion.

— David Zita (@DavidZita1) June 15, 2025

It’s been the talk of the footy world with Kane Cornes and David King discussing the situation on SEN and Craig Hutchison and Damian Barrett dissecting the matter on their podcast, The Sounding Board.

Hutchison noted there had been widespread love and feedback.

“The most infamous apology I can remember in recent journalistic history,’’ he said. “In fact I would go as far as to say it might be the only apology I’ve heard in journalism in 50 years on the planet.”

‘Don’t you dare’: Carey hit outs at Capper over concussion claims

Footy great Wayne Carey says Warwick Capper is not funny and shouldn’t blame his attention seeking behaviour on the effects of concussion.

Capper has been slapped with a five-year ban from all AFL venues, including cricket and concerts, after offensive behaviour in a corporate suite at the AFL grand final last year.

He allegedly said to a catering employee: “You’re a nice looking girl, you’d get a job at my brothel.”

“To say something like that to a young girl … whether he says it or not … whether he was pissed, it’s no excuse,’’ Carey said.

“What he said was clearly wrong, I imagine that wouldn’t have been the only thing. You don’t get barred for five years for one comment like that.

“Does the punishment fit the crime, I’ve got no idea. I assume there would have been more than one comment. I officially would say that the AFL probably got this right.”

Carey said he’s not friends with Capper and doesn’t enjoy his company. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Carey added: “Don’t you dare say, or anyone for that matter, say that (the behaviour is) because he’s had a few knocks in footy. By the way, I can’t ever remember him getting a knock. But he’s joined the action against the AFL. He was boxing for awhile so how he deciphers between boxing and the AFL and he’s suing the AFL. Don’t blame behaviour on that crap. I’m saying he shouldn’t be blaming behaviour on it.”

Carey, speaking with Sam Newman on their podcast, You Cannot Be Serious, said he’s not friends with Capper and doesn’t enjoy his company.

“I don’t say anything about anyone I wouldn’t say to them,’’ Carey said.

“I have told Warwick this to his face, he’s too attention seeking when he’s in the public arena.

That’s why I call him vegemite, a little bit goes a long way.”

Carey made the comments while speaking with Sam Newman on their podcast, You Cannot Be Serious.

Capper said Newman had reached out to offer support that he was a scapegoat, but Newman didn’t say that publicly.

The former high-flying Swan and his manager Tony Marks denied Capper made the comments directly to the employee, telling the Herald Sun the lengthy ban “stinks”.

“No doubt there’s a few inappropriate things said in the caricature that is Warwick Capper and playing the class clown, but five years from every AFL venue, including no cricket, concerts … that stinks. He knows he needs to pull his socks up with some of his jokes, but under no circumstances would he want anyone to be offended. He was making a joke and it was overheard and offence was taken.”

‘Don’t stuff it up’: Big shoes to fill as Eddie jets overseas

Eddie McGuire was absent from hosting duties on Footy Classified Tuesday night due to a working assignment overseas.

And what a trip it has been so far with the TV personality seen rubbing shoulders with music royalty at Lord’s in London during the World Test Championship.

Eddie McGuire has headed overseas for a work assignment. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio

McGuire was a guest of former Channel 9 commentator Mark Nicholas, the current president of the Marylebone Cricket Club, along with Rolling Stones rocker Mick Jagger, former tennis ace Pat Cash, English favourite Stephen Fry, Tabcorp CEO Gillon McLachlan, plus Cricket Australia chief Todd Greenberg and former sports administrator David Gallop.

The star group had a day out watching Australia v South Africa.

McGuire is also believed to be doing Ascot stadium tours ahead of the Melbourne Cup and shooting a documentary.

Journalist Tom Morris filled in as host on Tuesday night with panellist James Hird joking: “A lot of pressure on your shoulders, Eddie’ll be watching so don’t stuff it up.”

‘Macedonian Marble’ stars in new commercial

Peter Daicos is giving people a reminder of his legend status with a small screen cameo.

The Collingwood great and father of current Magpies stars Josh and Nick Daicos, he is being feted as the ‘Macedonian Marble’ in a new star-studded Kia Australia commercial for the Tasman ute which re-imagines sporting greats as tradies.

“What a play on words,’’ Daicos said. “I’ve been reincarnated somewhat for the theme. I was involved with Erin Phillips and Luc Longley filming in NSW and it was a lot of fun.

Peter Daicos in the KIA Tasman Ute ad.

“Clearly Collingwood with the way they’re playing, it all comes into play.”

The commercial drops on Wednesday night and features tennis icons Ash Barty and Pat Rafter along with a surprise appearance from one of the greatest, Rafael Nadal.

“Ash and I always have a laugh when we work together, we enjoy taking the mickey out of each other” Rafter said.

Daicos said he’s enjoying watching the top of the table Magpies.

“You can’t ask too much more, they’ve lost two games and the up side is there’s still players to come back,’’ Daicos said.

Originally published as Time On: Fox Sports journo David Zita goes viral after apologising for sending out the wrong information