Manager issues apology after reports media were told Brownlow interview would cost $1000
TOM Mitchell’s manager has apologised to the Hawthorn star and Brownlow favourite after media outlets were told they would have to fork out $1000 for an interview if he wins the medal.
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TOM Mitchell’s manager has apologised to the Hawthorn star and Brownlow favourite after media outlets were told they would have to fork out $1000 for an interview if he wins the medal.
The money grab was revealed by Melbourne radio station 3AW this morning, who made the request in preparation should Mitchell win.
Hawthorn told 3AW they had no comment while the AFL said it was unaware of the unusual situation.
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3AW is an official radio broadcaster of the AFL, which is believed to rake in a combined $10 million a year from all its radio rights holders.
Mitchell is a $1.55 favourite to win the award with bookmaker TAB, with Melbourne’s Max Gawn ($8) and Richmond’s Dustin Martin ($9) rounding out the top-three in the betting market.
Mitchell contacted the station to say he didn’t know anything about the demands and AFL boss Gillon McLachlan said: “Someone’s made a mistake there. Tom will do lots of media (if he wins) and he won’t be charging anyone”.
It prompted a statement from Craig Kelly, CEO of management company TLA Worldwide, which is handling Mitchell’s potential Brownlow appearances.
“In order to clarify the situation, if any of our managed players are lucky enough to win the Brownlow Medal, as per previous years, they will be available for the prescribed AFL media requirements,” Kelly said.
“Further to this, our players have always been available to media the following morning and this year will be no different.
“We apologise for the miscommunication around fees for these interviews, and also to Tom Mitchell for any embarrassment caused this morning.”
Mitchell revealed last night he will have surgery after rupturing his AC joint in Hawthorn’s semi-final loss to Melbourne. He will go under the knife next Wednesday, after the Brownlow Medal count on Monday night at Crown Palladium.
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