Sam Newman goes on the front foot against Channel 9
Controversial commentator Sam Newman is allegedly threatening to sue his former employer Channel 9, just months after leaving the network.
The former Footy Show host is planning to sue the network, saying he was defamed in a news report that published comments from photographer Wayne Ludbey, according to the Herald Sun.
The decision comes after Newman was forced to apologise for the comments he made about former AFL star Nicky Winman during an episode of the You Cannot Be Serious podcast.
Winimar famously took a stand against racism, by lifting his jersey and pointing to his skin after copping abuse from the crowd during a St Kilda and Collingwood match in 1993.
In the podcast, Newman and his fellow co-hosts Don Scott and Mike Sheahan said Winmar may have just been pointing at his “guts” rather than taking a stand against racism.
The comments were not taken well, with Winmar and Ludbey beginning legal proceedings against the men.
After issuing a public apology, the matter was settled outside of court and the episode was removed.
But now, Newman is claiming the comments made by Ludbey following the controversy were defamatory, with the host taking legal action.
Newman told the Herald Sun the legal action had “nothing to do with Nickey Winimar” and was instead focused on Ludbey’s comments.
“It is the comments he (Ludbey) made about our motivation that we have absolutely taken offence to and are erroneous and wrong,” Newman said.
“The notices were sent out to Ludbey and the people who broadcast or printed the reprehensible and extremely offensive comments.”
In an episode of his podcast, Newman said Ludbey’s criticism was a “malicious act” and “extremely offensive”.
“It’s without foundation and it’s defamatory and reckless in the extreme and we will be issuing legal proceedings against him,” Newman said.
“So I’m just putting him on notice that he should check his mailbox because we will be issuing him with legal proceedings.”
He then later revealed he was also taking action against Channel 9 for publishing Ludbey’s comments.
He told the Herald Sun that the decision to sue Channel 9 was not personal, he simply followed legal advice to include all publications that had republished Ludbey’s comments.
A spokesperson for Channel 9 told news.com.au the network wasn’t commenting on Newman’s legal action.