Alex Cullen had to leave Nine Network in fallout from $50k prize scandal

Channel 9 presenter Alex Cullen’s decision to play into a promotion by billionaire Adrian Portelli during a live broadcast was a terrible look for the network. Everything comes at a price, and for Cullen it was his job.

It turns out everything comes at a price, with Today show sports presenter Alex Cullen departing Channel 9 after accepting a $50,000 prize from Adrian Portelli.

While the prize was returned to Portelli after Nine launched an investigation into what had gone on between its Today presenter and the Melbourne-based rewards club owner, it was clearly a much bigger problem for the network than just a poor decision by Cullen.

“Nine has agreed with Today presenter and journalist Alex Cullen that he will finish with the network following a review into a recent incident,” a Nine spokesperson said in a statement on Friday.

The original story was broken by the Sunday Herald Sun.

Cullen’s decision to play into Portelli’s promotion and for the money to end up in his bank account was at odds with that expectation of the network. Picture: Facebook

MORE: Portelli vows to help Ch9 star after $50k scandal

It looked terrible for the network that one of their breakfast presenters had accepted what amounted to money in exchange for the promotion of Portelli’s self-determined new nickname during the show.

Nine’s broadcast journalists and on-air talent are required to adhere to a number of policies and procedures with respect to third-party commercial arrangements.

Cullen’s decision to play into Portelli’s media focused promotion during the Today show broadcast on Friday, January 17 and for the money to then end up in his bank account was at odds with that expectation of the network.

While Nine conducts regular training regarding these policies and procedures, it is understood that in light of the Cullen fallout all staff will be reminded of their obligations.

It looked terrible for the network that one of their breakfast presenters had accepted what amounted to money in exchange for the promotion of Portelli’s new nickname.

The Cullen cash scandal started after Portelli, sick of being called “Lambo Guy” and “Lambo Man” put out a call on his social media promising to give $50,000 to the first journalist who used his new nickname, “McLaren Guy”, on a TV broadcast.

Cullen obliged, crowbarring the comment into one of his early morning crosses from Melbourne to Today’s Sydney studio on January 17.

Melbourne billionaire Adrian Portelli posted a screengrab of a bank transfer showing his $50k transfer to Cullen’s account. Picture: David Geraghty

Portelli subsequently posted a screengrab of a bank transfer showing he had made a $50,000 deposit to Cullen’s account on his social media.

The money was returned after Nine launched an investigation into what had taken place. Portelli donated it to charity and announced he would be happy to collaborate with Cullen if Nine let him go.

Time will tell if Cullen takes up Portelli’s offer.