Lambo guy Adrian Portelli gifts Channel 9 presenter $50k

Melbourne billionaire Adrian Portelli has reportedly given Channel 9 Today Show presenter Alex Cullen $50,000 after he cheekily dropped his new nickname live on air. But can he keep it?

Melbourne billionaire Adrian Portelli has reportedly given Channel 9 Today show sports presenter Alex Cullen $50,000 after he referred to the high profile businessman as “McLaren Man” on air rather than Mr Lambo.

Portelli long ago tired of the name Mr Lambo, a nickname given to him by media after his first appearance on The Block in 2022 when he rolled into the show’s auction in a bright orange Lamborghini Murcielago SV.

He cheekily put a call out to media last week promising to gift $50,000 to the first person who called him McLaren Man on air.

Cullen appears to be in for a big payday. Picture: Instagram

Portelli sporting a new look with shaved head and beard. Picture: Instagram

Cullen seemed to quickly oblige, making the reference during a Today cross from the Australian Open at Melbourne Park to Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo in the show’s Sydney HQ early Friday morning.

While Cullen got the phrase out first, Stefanovic was not far behind repeating the name with the two laughing and joking over the exchange.

Cullen later posted a clip of the exchange on his Instagram.

Portelli reposted the clip writing “I think we have a winner.”

On Friday night Portelli posted a screen grab of a bank transfer which purported to show the transfer of $50,000 to Cullen with the comment, “we have a winner! Well played sir.”

Portelli posted a screen grab of the bank transfer. Picture: Supplied/Instagram

Cullen got the phrase out first. Picture: Supplied/Instagram.

Exactly what Channel 9 thinks of its employee using airtime to join in on Portelli’s publicity stunt and seemingly collect a $50,000 gift is unclear.

The network has been contacted, but is yet to respond.

Attempts have been made to contact Cullen.

A spokesperson for Portelli has also been contacted.