Nissan silent on Footy Show sponsorship future after talks with Nine
Nissan has refused to confirm if it will pull its sponsorship of The Footy Show on Nine after telling the network that comments by Sam Newman about The Age journalist Caroline Wilson “do not align with Nissan’s brand values”.
Citing the car giant’s relationship with Nine as commercial in confidence, Nissan’s general manager of communications, Peter Fadeyev said he could not comment further on the issues or how Nissan might react.
Nissan’s contract with the show expires at the end of the 2016 AFL season, but despite saying the conduct did not align with its brand values, Fadeyev refused to be drawn further on the issue.
In the only statement released by the car maker Nissan said: “The comments made by Sam Newman that were broadcast on the Footy Show last week do not align with Nissan’s brand values and we have discussed this matter with Channel Nine. As you would expect, Nissan’s ongoing marketing and sponsorship arrangements are commercial in confidence.”
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Over the weekend The Age revealed that Nissan had met directly Nine over the controversy, where Newman defended Eddie McGuire’s comments about holding the sports journalist down underwater.
McGuire’s comments and Newman’s subsequent on-air attack on Wilson in defence of his friend sparked outrage and demands for the AFL and Nine to take action against both men.
