I’m back, sports media consumers. I took a break last week to work on a couple of things that will become part of a larger coverage ecosystem. I am excited for you to see it.
But I’m getting ahead of myself; it’s time to look at what has been happening in the world of sports media. You should know the drill by now; grab your favourite beverage, sit back, put your feet up and enjoy this trip through sports media.
Keary and Fox League go Exclusive
Fox League has got its man, signing Luke Keary to an exclusive three-year deal with the rugby league channel, News Corp reporter Brent Read wrote in Sunday’s Daily Telegraph. Since retiring, Keary has been on Triple M, The Bye Round Podcast, Channel 7’s Agenda Setters, and Fox League’s game-day panel.
Keary has taken to media as a duck takes to water, so it’s no surprise Fox League made signing him to an exclusive deal its top priority. Read said Keary will continue on game-day coverage and also appear on magazine shows like NRL 360.
In Read’s article, Fox League Managing Director Steve Crawley said Keary will do a bit of everything, and he’ll be good because he’s a natural at it.
While this is a coup for Fox League, it means Channel 7 and Triple M will be without one of the NRL’s newest media stars from the 2027 season onward. But then again, this opens the door for someone like Willie Mason, or even a content creator like Rugby Keague Guru, to take Keary’s spot at those organisations.
Confusion on the Radio
Speaking of Brent Read, there was some confusion on Triple M The Journos podcast this week because hosting duties have shifted a bit. Shane Flanagan and Danny Weidler usually host on Wednesday, but this week they moved to Thursday’s show. On Wednesday, Read was back on with former News Corp journalist Phillip ‘Buzz’ Rothfield. When Charlie White mentioned it to Read on Tuesday’s podcast, Read was a little confused.
Poor old Ready was confused because producer Joel Harrison hadn’t actually asked him yet. Luckily, he jumped in, worked with his former colleague, and had a good chat. He even pressed Buzz about whether he would return to journalism. More on that episode later in the week in the Better Late Than Never column.
You Make Me Sick
If you watched the New York Giants vs. Washington Commanders game, you probably had your head in your hands at the end. It was so god-awful that fans of either team had to laugh, or you’d have cried. Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach and NBC Sports Football Night in America analyst Mike Tomlin was so disgusted with the finish that it made him sick.
If you haven’t watched the end of that game, feast your eyes on this debacle.
Tomlin said he was disgusted with the finish, but he also said he threw up a little bit in his mouth when Giants running back Cam Skattebo fumbled. My good friends over at Awful Announcing got this clip ready of Tomlin giving his unfiltered thoughts.
“I’d describe it as disgusting… I was disgusted by the Skattebo fumble. I threw up in my mouth a little bit at the end of the game.” – Mike Tomlin weighs in on the Giants-Commanders finish https://t.co/C0cS3T3Y7N
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 12, 2026
Front Office Sports ran an interesting article about how Tomlin’s outspoken analysis was rubbing off on other analysts, including former New York Jets Coach Rex Ryan. It is definitely worth a read.
I like that former NFL coaches are telling it like it is, and I hope both former coaches and Australian players transitioning to the media after their playing careers take note. Give us honest opinions, even if they’re uncomfortable. Just don’t manufacture outrage for a reaction. Kane Cornes, I’m looking at you!
That’s all we have for this week’s Wednesday Briefing; come back later in the week for more takes on sports media from Australia and abroad. I will be back later in the week with the Better Late Than Never Column.
Until next time, take care!
Merce