Yeah, he doesn’t even try to hide his agendas. I also don’t know anyone who actually enjoys his commentary. Why are networks falling over themselves to sign him.
Its funny.
In the lead-up to Warne's signing with Fox, it was reported in the newspapers and media that during his time at Ch9, he 'commanded' up to $7000/day for his commentary during Ch9's test coverage (I say test coverage because with the exception of 2008/09 when he did the T20 matches vs South Africa in his first summer at Ch9 post-retirement, he was only used on their test coverage). In a 5-6 test summer, that is potentially up to $175k-$210k (if the test matches go to day 5), not to mention all the other perks, such as flying business class, staying in 5 star hotels, the occasional public speaking engagement or media promotion along the way etc. Quite unbelievable someone could get paid that amount to do nothing much other than constantly death-ride and spruik agendas against the likes of Steve O'Keefe, to kiss the arse of his favourite players (e.g. one day it was Yasir Shah who he kept promoting as the best wrist spinner in the world, but quickly moved on to singing praise to Kuldeep Yadav after Shah flopped during Pakistan's tour of Australia, much to the chagrin of the Pakistani fans), talking about favourite pizza toppings with James Brayshaw (my goodness, that was bad. The Boxing Day test vs India 4 years ago, he pretty much spent all of day 5, I think it was, talking about that and trying to run fan polls about their favourite pizzas).
The media promotion bit hit rock bottom when James Packer gave Warnie his own tv show in primetime in 2010....what a joke. The only bits that were remotely interesting were the Billy Birmingham "12th Man" skits. His feeble attempt to conduct interviews ala 60 Minutes-style flopped.
But what's even more baffling is not so much Ch9 keeping Warne on for so many years, as it's an old-boys club, with his former teammates Taylor/Slater/Healy there, and Chappelli, who's Warne's superior and will simply be the mouthpiece for any agenda Chappelli has, such as the hate for Steve Waugh. It is moreso how other tv organisations such as Sky Sports (UK), Star Sports (India), Supersport (South Africa) have also been keen to have him in their commentary box. Yes, he may have taken 708 test wickets, but regarding the commentary component, I just don't see what they find attractive or appealing in him. Cricket fans in the UK have been spared from him this year as Warne decided not to go there, but will have to put up with the double whammy of hearing the bogan tones during the World Cup and Ashes next year.
Easiest way for Fox Sports, Ch7 or other media outlets to save $7000/day during their cricket telecasts?
Don't sign Warne up.
