‘Most nervous bloke in the place’: BT’s future under scrutiny

The shock sacking of Channel 7’s head of sport Lewis Martin has raised questions about the future of some of the AFL’s biggest media stars — including one of the favourites, Brian Taylor.

Channel 7 footy commentator Brian Taylor. Picture: Channel 7

The shock sacking of Channel 7’s sport boss Lewis Martin has clouded the future of some of the AFL’s biggest media stars.

As the dust settles on Martin’s surprise dismissal earlier this week, what it means for one of his favourites in particular, the station’s No.1 caller Brian Taylor, is the talk of the football world.

“Lewis was the biggest supporter of BT of anyone by so far, he was BT’s guy,” one Seven insider said. “The most nervous bloke in the whole place will be BT.”

Taylor has been the subject of viewer backlash for years, even last week a petition was started on social media to have him removed because of his allegedly biased and inaccurate commentary.

Channel 7 commentator Brian Taylor. Picture: Alex Coppel

But under Martin’s reign, Taylor could do no wrong and had a ticket to do as he pleased, despite his gruff alpha man manner.

“BT would be terrified because he has upset a lot of people along the way,” another former Seven staffer said. “They say be careful of the shoes you tread on, on the way up.

“Well those people he has trodden on are now going to be in charge. A lot of the producers work with him begrudgingly because Lewis says he is the guy.

“Now there is no one protecting him so I think he would be pretty scared of how life might play out.”

With the current AFL rights deal about to end this year — Seven has again signed on until 2031 — it’s believed the contracts of most commentators are linked to the rights which means a number of big names would be out at the end of 2024.

This isn’t an issue for 62-year-old Taylor who has a long-term contract, but what his role looks like moving forward under the new regime is the million-dollar question.

Lewis Martin is considered a kingmaker within Melbourne. Picture: Richard Dobson

While many at Seven expect the former Collingwood and Richmond goalkicker to remain, there is set to be a significant erosion of his power base.

Martin, who first joined Seven in 1994 as a sales executive, rose up the ranks to managing director of Seven Melbourne and later head of sport. Within Melbourne he is considered a kingmaker — he quite literally chose our Moomba King and Queen back in the day with some casual influence to Town Hall - and had a direct line to the most powerful echelons of our corporate world and government.

Channel 7 footy commentators Abbey Holmes, Joel Selwood, Brian Taylor, Erin Phillips and Luke Hodge. Picture: Channel 7

But Martin’s protection and promotion of his “golden child” Taylor, who joined Seven in 2012, is over and he’s likely to be held more accountable for his match calling with a new, fresher feel about the AFL coverage.

“We’re not living in 1986 anymore,” was how one industry observer saw the potential sweeping changes at Seven.

Who replaces Martin as the network’s head of sport is expected to be a race in three.

The three heads of sport who worked under Martin were Gary O’Keeffe (football), Andrew Hore-Lacy (racing) and Chris Jones (cricket) who is believed to be the slight favourite in the race for the top job.

Another curveball for the free-to-air broadcaster is the fact Fox Footy is stepping up its game next year by having their own sets of commentators at every game.

Currently there are Seven-only games — namely Friday night and big games like Anzac Day — where Fox Footy is obligated to take its rival commentary.

Martin, who was also the manager director of Seven Melbourne, was one of several senior executives let go by the media organisation as it battles to reduce costs.

Popular Melbourne newsreader Peter Mitchell is understood to be one of those whose contract is under the spotlight.

Sydney-based chief revenue officer Kurt Burnette was also a casualty.

The bloodletting at Seven had been widespread with on-air talent shown the door in recent weeks including 23-year veteran Robert Ovadia and Melbourne crime reporter Cameron Baud.

Recently instated Melbourne director of news Chris Salter and network chief of news and current affairs Anthony De Ceglie are said to be looking at double-figure sackings in its Melbourne newsroom and production team and asking presenters to take salary cuts.

Popular Melbourne newsreader Peter Mitchell is understood to be one of those whose contract is under the spotlight and up for a salary “hair cut”, at best.

There are reports the network is looking at axing up to 150 jobs as it cleans house and restructures under chairman Kerry Stokes leadership to cut costs amid its handling of the Bruce Lehrmann Spotlight debacle and accusations of a “toxic culture” set to come under the microscope by an ABC Four Corners investigation led by reporter Louise Milligan.