Sam Newman threatening legal action against former employer Channel 9
He worked for Channel 9 for 30 years, but now former Footy Show stalwart Sam Newman is sensationally threatening to sue the network he once called home.
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Sam Newman, once one of the most powerful figures at Channel 9, is sensationally launching legal action against his former TV employer.
The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal the former Footy Show star is suing Nine, claiming he was defamed in a news report.
Newman argues he was defamed in comments made by photographer Wayne Ludbey about an episode of Newman’s You Cannot Be Serious podcast that referred to Nicky Winmar.
Ludbey was strongly critical of Newman’s comments on the famous incident where St Kilda footy legend Winmar lifted his jumper and pointed to his skin at the end of a 1993 match against Collingwood during which he had been racially abused.
Newman’s legal team sent his legal demand on Friday.
“It has nothing to do with Nicky Winmar, per se, that matter has been settled,” Newman said.
“It is the comments he (Ludbey) made about our motivation that we have absolutely taken offence to and are erroneous and wrong.
“The notices were sent out to Ludbey and the people who broadcast or printed the reprehensible and extremely offensive comments.”
Newman is also taking action against Ludbey and three other media outlets including the Daily Mail Australia which published or republished interviews.
Newman and Nine parted ways earlier this year, after the former Geelong footy great had enjoyed a career spanning more than 30 years with the network.
Newman said he was seeking damages, an apology and asking that the reports be retracted.
He explained he was taking the action on behalf of himself and Don Scott, who are currently presenting the You Cannot Be Serious podcast.
Former co-host of the podcast, Mike Sheahan, is not involved in the action.
“I am doing it on behalf of our podcast. I am doing it on behalf of the people who are currently on the podcast,” Newman said.
He had a long, rewarding and hugely successful working relationship with Channel 9 over more than three decades and left the network on good terms when they mutually agreed to part-ways earlier this year. His decision to include the network in his legal action has raised eyebrows.
Newman said while he held his previous employer in great regard, the decision to include Nine in his legal move was about procedure and was not personal.
“This is a procedural matter and the legal team say the people who have reprinted or broadcast those comments must be named,” he said.
“You either name none or you name them all and that is the advice we have.”
Newman, Scott and Sheahan were forced to apologise to Winmar in July over comments they made on their podcast suggesting Ludbey’s famous “jumper lift” photo of Winmar wasn’t about the Saint making a stand against racism. Winmar took legal action that has been settled.
A Nine spokesman said the network was unaware of Newman’s legal action. Ludbey could not be contacted on Saturday.
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