Billionaire Adrian Portelli responds to $50k "McLaren Man" controversy
<p>Alex Cullen has returned the $50,000 that he received after taking on billionaire <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/nine-reporter-stood-down-over-controversial-50k-gift" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adrian Portelli's challenge</a> of offering money to the first journalist to call him "McLaren Man" on-air, an act that has landed the <em>Today</em> show presenter in hot water. </p>
<p>Cullen was stood down from the show, after dropping the moniker on-air during a live cross on Friday morning, with Channel Nine condemning his actions for breaching the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance Journalist Code of Ethics.</p>
<p>“Nine is taking this matter extremely seriously," they said at the time.</p>
<p>“Appropriate action has been promptly taken, including arranging for the funds to be returned. While we review the circumstances in which this occurred, Alex has agreed to stand down.”</p>
<p>On Tuesday, Portelli revealed that he had chosen to donate the returned cash to two charities on behalf of Cullen. </p>
<p>“Alex Cullen … on behalf of you, mate, $25,000 to the Salvation Army and $25,000 to the RSPCA,” Portelli wrote in a post to social media. </p>
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<p>He added that Cullen was "an absolute gentleman" and that he hoped Channel Nine would not fire him. </p>
<p>“I’ve kept pretty quiet about what unfolded with Alex, but even before he’d heard from Ch9, we had a conversation where he expressed his desire to donate the money. That speaks volumes about his character.”</p>
<p>Portelli then offered to work with Cullen in some capacity if he does end up losing his job. </p>
<p>While Cullen has yet to comment on what happened, his Instagram has been flooded with messages of support from his fans. </p>
<p>“Nine isn’t the same without you,” one person said.</p>
<p>“I stand with you Alex — you are the best,” another wrote.</p>
<p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>
