A LEGAL row over a statue of sports broadcasting legend Ray Warren - involving Channel 9's rugby league callers, powerful media figures and a league Immortal - has been settled on the eve of a potentially explosive court case.
What began as a tribute to Warren in his home town of Junee, organised by his great friend Ray Hadley, disintegrated into a stoush with Channel 9 colleague Andrew Voss.
The statue was unveiled at a civic reception in August last year during a live broadcast by Hadley's 2GB Continuous Call team.
The statue was paid for by 2GB and Channel 9 - which contributed $25,000.
The next day on Nine's rugby league show
The Sunday Roast, Voss questioned the statue's likeness to Warren, which sparked a furious on-air response from Hadley and former Test star and league Immortal Bob Fulton.
Hadley was on a rare day off on that Sunday in August when he phoned the studio and demanded to be put to air after hearing of Voss's comments on Sunday Roast.
After Hadley, 57, tore strips off him on air two days in a row - calling him names and spelling them out for impact - Voss sued.
To avoid repeating the alleged defamation,
The Sunday Telegraph cannot further detail Hadley's comments.
Hadley read out a 10-second apology to the 45-year-old Voss at the start of his show on Friday morning.
"I accept my criticism was unwarranted and I regret making them," Hadley told his 2GB audience.
"I want to apologise to Andrew Voss and his family for any hurt and distress my comments may have caused them."
The two broadcasters took their battle all the way to the NSW Supreme Court, where Voss's statement of claim said Hadley had defamed him by questioning his loyalty to Warren and his worth as a person.
court case promised as much drama as the on-field action in footy finals with Voss hiring celebrity QC Stuart Littlemore to grill Warren, Hadley, Fulton, 2GB broadcaster Andrew Moore, Channel 9 boss David Gyngell and Nine's sports director, Steve Crawley.
Voss's legal team is believed to have even subpoenaed private emails his boss, Gyngell, had sent to Hadley.
The Sunday Telegraph has been told Nine was preparing to fight the subpoenas.
The matter will be officially discontinued tomorrow.
All legal parties were reluctant to comment when contacted by
The Sunday Telegraph because of a confidentiality agreement in the settlement, which is believed to be in to six figures, including costs.
Voss was shifted to No.3 league caller behind Warren and Hadley this year when Hadley was brought in to call the second Friday night game. Voss was often sent interstate to cover matches in the secondary Queensland Cup competition.
Interestingly, Voss's contract at Channel 9 is up for renewal before the start of next season. Station executives will not comment on his future.
Voss said he was content for the matter to be over.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/na...r-rabbits-statue/story-fndo317g-1226468080678
Andrew Voss ‏@AndrewVoss9 
