Eddie McGuire sends three-word message to Channel 7 defectors as defiant broadcaster hits back after decision that has rocked football

Eddie McGuire has put a positive spin on the football crisis that has rocked Channel 9 this week after three of his biggest stars quit Channel 7.

Nine’s flagship football show Footy Classified has been decimated after presenter Craig Hutchinson and star pundits Caroline Wilson and Kane Cornes left for the rival network.

McGuire has played a major role in the success of Footy Classified. He created the show in 2007 and his production company JAM TV has been hosting the show for Nine ever since.

According to News Corp, McGuire initially did not take the mass exodus well, with the former Collingwood president citing legal threats during a lunch at the Carbine Club on Tuesday.

But he has since taken a step back and was more reflective on Thursday, taking inspiration from AFL great Allan Jeans when discussing the situation.

“I’m pretty optimistic about it and I wish everyone the best of luck,” he said. “If they get a good offer and try their best, I have no problem with that.”

‘I love the fast-paced atmosphere (of the media game). Nowadays, you want people to perform well and there are offers everywhere.

“Let me tell you, nobody goes crazy on JAM TV. We invented it in the first place and we also created a programme called The Footy Show along the way.

The broadcaster has lost Footy Classified pundits Kane Cornes and Caroline Wilson, who have left for Seven

“As the great Allan Jeans said, ‘Crisis creates opportunities’. We have a number of programmes that we are looking for a home for and how we refresh things (on Footy Classified).”

The outgoing trio appeared for the last time on Footy Classified on Tuesday, but there was no mention of their departure on the show as Hutchinson and Wilson were denied a final farewell despite being on the show for 18 years.

“I think the Grand Final was probably more important,” McGuire said. “The decision not to mention their departures certainly didn’t come from us.”

News Corp claims the order came from the top at Nine, with the network’s director of sport Brent Williams feeling mention of their departures would only serve as a “free kick” to Seven and give them a huge publicity win.

McGuire then referred to Hutchinson, Wilson and Cornes as “roster cloggers” and said he is looking for the next superstars of football broadcasting.

“At the end of the season, you get rid of the roster clogs and the new superstars come in,” McGuire said on Channel 9’s Today Show.

McGuire says Footy Classified will return with a ‘refreshed’ look in 2025

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

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

“That’s fine. While they do that, we’ll create something new, fresh and exciting for next year and do what we always do.”