‘Not only has the business failed to achieve a culture of mutual trust and respect, it has failed to deliver any incremental value to shareholders’: Browne

Former Channel 9 boss, now Collingwood president, Jeff Browne has slammed the leadership of the network under chairman Peter Costello and confirmed he’s been asked to come back.

Collingwood president and ex Channel 9 boss Jeff Browne has slammed the leadership of Nine Entertainment under chairman Peter Costello.

And Mr Browne, 70, has confirmed he had been approached by Nine Entertainment executives to consider a return to the network following Costello’s physical altercation with a journalist at Canberra Airport on Thursday.

“I’m deeply disappointed to see the recent press regarding the Nine Network, a once mighty organisation which I proudly served for nearly eight years,” Mr Browne told the Sunday Herald Sun.

“It reminds me of the importance of culture in the workplace and good governance around the board table.

“It also reminds me of the recent task I took on at Collingwood three years ago and the importance of values-based leadership.

The Nine chairman had a physical altercation with a journalist at Canberra Airport.

“Not only has the business failed to achieve a culture of mutual trust and respect, it has failed to deliver any incremental value to shareholders.

“Clearly, there needs to be a top-down and bottom-up review and a cultural reset.

“I have been contacted by a number of Nine executives who are lamenting the current situation and want to see change.”

Mr Browne was managing director of Nine from 2009-2013 and when asked if he would be interested in replacing Mr Costello as Nine chairman, he said: “I would be interested in helping restore the company to its true position as a leader in the Australian media space”.

Regarding the Costello airport incident, Mr Browne said: “I don’t know the full details but obviously it requires some investigation”.

Mr Browne was managing director of Nine from 2009-2013. Photo: Luis Ascui

Pressed on whether Mr Costello should resign as a result of the incident, he said: “That’s a matter for the board”.

Mr Costello is under pressure to step down after being caught on video making physical contact with Liam Mendes, a reporter with The Australian as he was asking questions about harassment and bullying allegations inside Nine.

Mr Mendes was shoved to the ground by Mr Costello with the former federal treasurer laughing and walking away without offering any help.

On Friday the Herald Sun reported senior executives were working on a transition plan to oust Mr Costello with one executive saying his position was “untenable’’ amid concerns about his behaviour and lack of leadership.

Mr Costello has been chairman for eight years as Nine is engulfed in bullying scandals and allegations of inappropriate behaviour by former senior television boss Darren Wick and its share price plummets to its lowest point since July 2020.

Mr Browne has chaired public companies including Carsales.com and MA Financial Group.

He also chairs Walkinshaw Automotive Group and helped drive the transformation of the Magpies, culminating in last year’s premiership triumph.