One of Channel Nine’s few decent rugby league commentators has reportedly “stormed out” [1] mere hours before he was going to join the commentary team for tonight’s State of Origin clash in Melbourne.
FORMER Queensland State of Origin star Ben Ikin has stormed out of Channel Nine only hours before he was supposed to be commentating on tonight’s showdown in Melbourne.
A furious Ikin phoned Nine’s director of sport Steve Crawley early this afternoon to resign from all his commentary duties.
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Ikin, who is the son-in-law of super coach Wayne Bennett, is angry that Channel Nine’s A Current Affair is doing an investigation tonight into a business owned by his father on the Gold Coast.
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Steve Crawley confirmed Ikin had quit but refused to comment, other than saying, “”At this stage I’m just concentrating on getting the telecast right for tonight.’’
Ah well, it just makes the already superior coverage on 2GB that little bit better. Best wishes to Ben, I hope he pops up on Foxtel or radio in the near future.
Samuel
Comments Disabled To "Ben Ikin quits from Channel Nine"
#1 Comment By Frankster On June 3, 2009 @ 4:51 pm
Interesting! Though here’s some trivia.. Channel 9 often put up on their crawlers “B.Ikin” as commentator..add an I to the end, and you’ve got:
“B.Ikini”
Just thought I’d say that..hehe…
#2 Comment By davky On June 4, 2009 @ 6:52 am
Leaving the issues of journalistic integrity and ACA aside, Channel Nine must have some major internal problems (I know, I know… people have been saying it for some time!)
To do a on-air hatchet job on one of their own on-screen employees is pretty poor form. Whilst I’m all for journalistic freedom, I would have thought most networks would use a little discretion.
#3 Comment By legshagger On June 6, 2009 @ 12:49 am
I admire Ben for standing up for his family, but I also question his biting the hand that had fed him for so long … he is not so muc a “reporter” as a “commentaor”, but he has handed it out over the years, and he should not question his colleagues doing the same thing. That said, he had some ##### [edit: self censored] telling Nine to shove it and standing by his dad!
#4 Comment By legshagger On June 6, 2009 @ 1:02 am
Sorry for the spelling mistakes … I have been mxing coke and aspirin!
#5 Comment By Samuel On June 6, 2009 @ 1:05 am
No worries, but take care with that mixture.