Nine pays $220,000 to settle Western Bulldogs board member Susan Alberti's defamation claim

WESTERN Bulldogs board member Susan Alberti has won a $220,000 settlement and an apology from the Nine Network's AFL Footy Show.

A PROMINENT businesswoman and Western Bulldogs AFL Club board member has walked away with a $220,000 settlement and an apology after claiming she was defamed by the Nine Network's AFL Footy Show.

Susan Alberti sued the show after its hosts Sam Newman and Gary Lyon made comments on May 1 last year saying that female board members of AFL clubs “served very little purpose”.

Mr Newman also accused Dr Alberti and other female board members who wrote a letter to complain about earlier derogatory remarks about a female journalist of being liars and hypocrites.

Dr Alberti's defamation case against the network was due to start this morning but it was announced to the Victorian Supreme Court that both parties had settled after Nine agreed to pay $220,000 plus costs.

Lawyers for the network also read out a written apology - signed by executive director Jeffery Browne - stating they had no intention to “impute” that Dr Alberti was a liar.

“If this impression was given, it is withdrawn and Channel 9 sincerely apologises to you if you suffered any hurt or distress,” it read. “Likewise, it was not our intention to demean your valuable contribution as a board member of the Western Bulldogs Football Club.”

Dr Alberti said outside court she felt vindicated and said that the comments should never have been said.