Sandy Roberts quits Channel 7 to sign on with Fox Footy
+5
FOOTYfollower
howthewestwaswon
PhilH
Lee
Paul
9 posters
:: AFL :: Other AFL Discussion
Page 1 of 1
Sandy Roberts quits Channel 7 to sign on with Fox Footy
Full Story
EXCLUSIVE: SANDY Roberts has walked out on Channel 7 after 34 years as a broadcaster to sign on with Fox Footy.
In the latest development in TV's news wars, the Herald Sun understands the Seven stalwart has been poached to call games and host programs on the football-only station.
Roberts, the weekday sports news reader for Seven, will inform the station today he is leaving, the latest dramatic change to Seven's news after the departure of veteran meteorologist David Brown.
Seven and Nine continue to fight a pitched battle over nightly news ratings, and Nine's commanding lead has forced Seven into recent changes.
Seven insiders said they believed Brown, 52, was unhappy about the decision to push him aside for Rooney, 30.
Roberts has not called games in recent seasons, but it is believed that after broadcasting to regional areas with radio callers Crocmedia he became confident he still had the fire in his belly.
He said in 2007 it was his decision not to call games for Seven given his weekday commitments with the network.
But the 62-year-old was constantly stopped in the street by fans asking about his absence, so his return clearly would be well received.
Fox Footy is known to believe the signing is a major coup given his reputation as a fan favourite in AFL circles. His son works at the network as a producer and Roberts will work across several shows.
The network will use him not only as a caller but also as host of some of the network's regular one-off specials.
Fox Footy has the rights to the All-Australian awards and AFL MVP award.
Roberts showcased his hosting skills at the 2009 Brownlow Medal when called in with only hours' notice after Bruce McAvaney was forced to withdraw.
Seven recently tried former Western Bulldogs ruckman Luke Darcy as a stand-in sports presenter when Roberts and weekend news reader Tim Watson were on leave.
EXCLUSIVE: SANDY Roberts has walked out on Channel 7 after 34 years as a broadcaster to sign on with Fox Footy.
In the latest development in TV's news wars, the Herald Sun understands the Seven stalwart has been poached to call games and host programs on the football-only station.
Roberts, the weekday sports news reader for Seven, will inform the station today he is leaving, the latest dramatic change to Seven's news after the departure of veteran meteorologist David Brown.
Seven and Nine continue to fight a pitched battle over nightly news ratings, and Nine's commanding lead has forced Seven into recent changes.
Seven insiders said they believed Brown, 52, was unhappy about the decision to push him aside for Rooney, 30.
Roberts has not called games in recent seasons, but it is believed that after broadcasting to regional areas with radio callers Crocmedia he became confident he still had the fire in his belly.
He said in 2007 it was his decision not to call games for Seven given his weekday commitments with the network.
But the 62-year-old was constantly stopped in the street by fans asking about his absence, so his return clearly would be well received.
Fox Footy is known to believe the signing is a major coup given his reputation as a fan favourite in AFL circles. His son works at the network as a producer and Roberts will work across several shows.
The network will use him not only as a caller but also as host of some of the network's regular one-off specials.
Fox Footy has the rights to the All-Australian awards and AFL MVP award.
Roberts showcased his hosting skills at the 2009 Brownlow Medal when called in with only hours' notice after Bruce McAvaney was forced to withdraw.
Seven recently tried former Western Bulldogs ruckman Luke Darcy as a stand-in sports presenter when Roberts and weekend news reader Tim Watson were on leave.
Re: Sandy Roberts quits Channel 7 to sign on with Fox Footy
It seems as if Sandy has been at 7 forever.
Started in Adelaide, didn't he?
Started in Adelaide, didn't he?
Lee- Join date : 2011-12-05
Posts : 7519
Location : Talking footy
My club :
Re: Sandy Roberts quits Channel 7 to sign on with Fox Footy
The BIG Replay
PhilH- Join date : 2012-02-01
Posts : 861
Teams : Eagles, Adelaide Bite, Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers
My club :
Re: Sandy Roberts quits Channel 7 to sign on with Fox Footy
redandblack wrote:It seems as if Sandy has been at 7 forever.
Started in Adelaide, didn't he?
I think he did. I see him on numerous SANFL videos in the late 70s, early 80s.
howthewestwaswon- Join date : 2012-01-28
Posts : 1240
Location : Henley Beach
Teams : North Haven, BMW, BBH, South Whyalla, Lobethal
My club :
Re: Sandy Roberts quits Channel 7 to sign on with Fox Footy
I recall also seeing him commentate at Memorial Drive for SA Open tennis in late 70's/early 80's.
FOOTYfollower- Join date : 2012-01-30
Posts : 311
Location : Somewhere watching the footy
Re: Sandy Roberts quits Channel 7 to sign on with Fox Footy
Yep, Sandy started in Adelaide, i reckon he came up from the South East & that's why he hosted the Mt Gambier cup on 7....... but who remembers the Mt Gambier Cup slip up he called Miss Australia Leanne Dick as Leanne Cock ?
i reckon ''Its Academic'' was one of his first tv shows, he took over from Alec Macaskill iirc
i reckon ''Its Academic'' was one of his first tv shows, he took over from Alec Macaskill iirc
bayman- Join date : 2012-02-05
Posts : 7873
Location : on a marx brothers set
Teams : plympton, glenelg, redbacks & whoever the money is on
My club :
Re: Sandy Roberts quits Channel 7 to sign on with Fox Footy
Yes I thought he heralded from Lucindale.
Chambo Off To Work We Go- Join date : 2012-02-03
Posts : 3234
My club :
Re: Sandy Roberts quits Channel 7 to sign on with Fox Footy
I always liked his calling of the different sports that he presented, unfortunately we haven't got Fox so we won't hear him anymore.
testy- Join date : 2012-02-02
Posts : 1432
Location : Dog House
My club :
Re: Sandy Roberts quits Channel 7 to sign on with Fox Footy
Most Adelaide and Port Adelaide games are covered by Fox so he'll be heard on 7.
Re: Sandy Roberts quits Channel 7 to sign on with Fox Footy
sapaul wrote:Most Adelaide and Port Adelaide games are covered by Fox so he'll be heard on 7.
love the irony of that
bayman- Join date : 2012-02-05
Posts : 7873
Location : on a marx brothers set
Teams : plympton, glenelg, redbacks & whoever the money is on
My club :
Re: Sandy Roberts quits Channel 7 to sign on with Fox Footy
Noticed Sandy Roberts commentating for the 'AFL Radio' feed on the AFL app this afternoon.
_________________
They don't keep me here because I'm gorgeous and 5'10
Brucetiki- Join date : 2012-01-24
Posts : 2910
Location : Wentworth Detention Centre
Teams : Adelaide, Centrals
My club :
Re: Sandy Roberts quits Channel 7 to sign on with Fox Footy
That is really worth a watch, great ad.
Lee- Join date : 2011-12-05
Posts : 7519
Location : Talking footy
My club :
:: AFL :: Other AFL Discussion
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
|
|