Media Buzz: Slipper day incident tipping point in major TV network drama, Ray “Rabs” Warren reveals secret Channel 9 contract

Drama has erupted inside a prominent Sydney media sports department – and an incident on Golden Slipper day has people talking. Get the latest in Media Buzz.

Ray Warren cannot work for any other network

Drama has erupted inside a prominent Sydney media sports department and it’s got people talking.

One well-known employee claims to have been constantly bullied and has approached HR.

The tipping point in the saga was an incident between two staff members while one was working at the races at Rosehill Gardens on Golden Slipper day on March 18.

The woman has not appeared publicly for her organisation now for three weeks, and her absence is slowly being noticed.

RABS REVEALS ‘SECRET’ CHANNEL 9 CONTRACT

Nearly a year since he retired, the one-and-only Ray “Rabs” Warren has revealed a secret: his farewell gift from Channel 9 was a long-time contract.

“I am contracted to Channel 9 for whole-of-life. I’ve been kissed on the arse by an angel,” Warren said. “I can’t work for anyone else.

“It’s a tribute and an honour and I appreciated it. It was them saying: ‘Thanks for what you have done for us’. It was lovely of them to look after me in the next part of my life.

“Today was a perfect example. They rang and asked if I would take part in a tribute show to Wally Lewis, which will be aired during State of Origin. They will call and ask me to do some voice-overs. There’s no commentary involved.”

Warren has admitted he “misses commentary a lot” but remains content with his decision to retire. Now, nearing 80 years old, Warren fills in his days gardening.

“To be honest with you, thank god for the garden,” Warren said. “I can’t play golf anymore and in the non-growing season there’s not much to do. I’d achieved everything I wanted to achieve, and more, to be honest with you. There was just nothing else left other than the decision I made.”

Ray Warren has a lifetime contract

KENTY AGES ON SCREEN

GEEZ Kenty, what has NRL 360 done to you?

When Paul Kent started as co-host on the Fox Sports rugby league show a decade ago, his hair was thick and brown. Now Kent looks in the mirror and sees a mane full of grey.

“I have gone grey and the hair is starting to go but I don’t have many wrinkles,” Kent said. “Those in the make-up departmentdon’t need the putty just yet.

“I don’t worry about things, as such. I’m living my life like I enjoy it.

“I’m just not clever enough to be subtle with my opinion. I’m not always right but I never deliberately mislead anyone.

“I say what I believe is the truth and if that’s proven to be wrong, I will correct it. If you show me where I’m wrong thenI will say sorry.”

Kenty circa 2000.

Paul Kent on Fox League twitter April 3

GET TO KNOW CRASH

Name: Robert Craddock

Age: 61.

The Courier-Mail

First job?

Finding golf balls with mates as a 14-year-old at Caboolture Golf Club and selling them on course for 20c each. You’d make$4 a day and feel like a king. Career-wise, I started as a sports cadet at The Toowoomba Chronicle for a great editor calledBruce Hinchliffe who somehow forgave me for my many mistakes.

What sport did you play?

I was a fumbling third-grade wicketkeeper until I saw Rod Marsh say on television “any keeper who takes a step back when hetakes the ball will never make it because he is scared of the ball’’. I knew instantly … that was me. I thought maybe I shouldtry and write about the game rather than play it.

Sporting heroes?

As a kid I was an asthmatic and I was in awe of Steve Mortimer and fast bowler Rodney Hogg, who played for Australia withthat ailment. You could actually see them wheezing on the field and Steve using a spray at halftime. I met them later in lifeand found them terrific fellows and very entertaining.

How do you spend a day off?

Love a quiet day with the fam. I also live close to the Albion Park trots and have a little ritual where I pop into the stablesfor an hour a week and talk to anyone who will talk to me. Stress levels just melt away when you pat a horse for five minutes.

Career highlights?

Always felt very privileged to work on Fox Sports Back Page, where you just marvel at the quick wits of people like Tony Squires,Kerry O’Keeffe and Ryan Fitzgerald. Print-wise, I loved covering Allan Border’s 1993 Ashes tour, particularly the fact thatjournos on that tour are still close mates.

What team did you follow?

Wests in Brisbane but in Sydney it’s mainly been individual players for different reasons. I loved it when underrated players went south from Brisbane and surprised people – the likes of Tony Rea, Les Kiss, Trevor Bailey, Johnny Lang, Dane Gagai and Cooper Cronk.

Rugby League Week shows some things never change in the sport.

THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME.

We found a front page of the now-defunct Rugby League Week from 10 yearsago. And there, on page one, were a couple of familiar headlines.

The Wests Tigers were being described as “toothless”, Benji Marshall was touted as the club’s saviour, and Josh Reynolds discussed his love for Canterbury.