Adrian Portelli supports Channel 9 presenter Alex Cullen after $50k prize scandal

Channel 9 sports presenter Alex Cullen has received support from Adrian Portelli after he was stood down by the network after accepting a $50k prize from the Melbourne billionaire.

Channel 9 sports presenter Alex Cullen has received support from the man who started the campaign that has resulted in him being stood down.

Melbourne billionaire Adrian Portelli gave a $50,000 prize to Cullen last Friday after he promoted a competition for a TV journo to call him McLaren Guy on live television.

He instigated it after becoming fed up with the nickname Lambo Guy.

Cullen was stood down by the network after accepting the money but Portelli revealed it has now been donated to charity.

Adrian Portelli has donated the $50k to charity. Picture: Jason Edwards

“Alex Cullen … on behalf of you, mate, $25,000 to the Salvation Army and $25,000 to the RSPCA,’’ Portelli posted to Instagram.

“I’ve kept pretty quiet about what unfolded Alex, but even before he’d heard from Ch9, we had a conversation where he expressed his desire to donate the money. That speaks volumes about his character.”

Today Show sports presenter Alex Cullen has been stood down over the incident. Picture: Facebook

Cullen has been absent from the Today Show this week with the network saying it’s still reviewing the matter.

Portelli, praising the media veteran, said he hoped Cullen kept his job.

“Alex, you’re an absolute gentleman. If Ch9 let you go (though I really hope they don’t!), I’d be more than happy to collaborate with you on something. True class, mate!”

Since being stood down Cullen has been replaced on Today by Clint Stanaway.