Channel 7 lands Nick Riewoldt to continue TV footy war signing spree

Channel 7 have landed yet another blow on its TV rivals with yet another big fish heading continuing to bolster the network’s footy coverage.

St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt has become the latest AFL media star to head to Channel 7 for 2025 as the network’s stock continue to rise.

The free-to-air rights holder has been on a signing spree recently, bringing over Kane Cornes and Caroline Wilson to the network in recent times.

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But now Channel 7 has landed the signature of former Fox Footy star Riewoldt as it continues to build an impressive line up.

In December 2022, Riewoldt, who AFL media stocks were sky high as he was involved in a three-way tug of war between Seven, Nine and Fox Footy, shocked everyone when he quit TV to move overseas.

Riewoldt’s wife Catherine is from Texas and the couple moved to the US with their three young children.

After moving to Houston for the past two years, the couple announced they were returning in a press release from Seven on Thursday.

“After living in Cath’s hometown of Houston for two years, working full-time in stadium and event technology with PMY, we are all really looking forward to coming back to Melbourne and joining the Seven family,” Riewoldt said.

“I’m excited about joining 7AFL and being part of the new vision for the network’s football coverage and programming in 2025 and beyond.

“Seven has assembled a great team and I cannot wait to get started and working alongside the team in bringing the game directly to footy fans all over Australia.”

Nick Riewoldt has returned. Picture: Sarah Matray

Riewoldt and wife Catherine in 2018. Picture: Mark Stewart

It comes as Channel 7’s rights have expanded to include digital rights, meaning the free-to-air rights holder for both AFL and cricket will now be able to stream matches via 7plus.

The Seven Network’s director of sport Chris Jones was overjoyed at the announcement.

“We are beyond excited to welcome Nick to the Seven family in 2025.

“Nick is one of the game’s greatest modern-day players and an elite football analyst. He’ll be a perfect addition to our already star-studded team of 7AFL experts, callers, and hosts.

“As we expand our AFL programming, more opportunities open up for industry talent to join football’s #1 commentary team, and we can’t wait to see how Nick’s expertise will elevate and complement our already outstanding coverage in 2025.”

Riewoldt is expected to play a part in both live broadcasts and midweek programming.

However, not everyone was as cheerful about the move, with Nine’s Eddie McGuire swiping the move after Seven brought over Cornes and Wilson.

Along with the news that Footy Classified host Craig Hutchison will also move on from Nine, and is expected to also move to Seven.

Nine powerbrokers reportedly had late crisis talks on Tuesday night over whether to pull Footy Classified from the air after three of the hosts had announced they were leaving the network.

It went to air without mention of any moves.

Three of the four on Tuesday's episode won't be at Nine next year. Photo: Channel 9

Speaking on Channel 9’s Today on Thursday, McGuire said of the moves: “End of the season, you get rid of the list-cloggers, and you move the new superstars in.

“And that’s what we’re doing. The Footy Classified with Caroline Wilson and Craig Hutchison. That started 18 years ago.

“We commissioned it when I was up in Sydney, actually. And it’s been fantastic. And it’s great that Channel Copycat is just taking something we’ve done for 18 years and putting it on air.

“So that’s OK. While they’re doing that, we’ll come up with something fresh, new and exciting for next year and do what we always do.”

Originally published as Channel 7 lands Nick Riewoldt to continue TV footy war signing spree