Stars lose thousands

23Mar08

Source: Phil Rothfield and Phillip Heads, The Sun Herald

SOME
of Sydney’s most high-profile sports personalities are up to $100,000
out of pocket after the collapse of a privately owned radio show on 2SM.

Former
rugby league stars Mark Geyer and Graeme Hughes, ex-jockey Malcolm
Johnston, former rugby union star Brett Papworth and former Test
cricketer Gavin Robertson are among a host of big names who have lost
thousands of dollars.

The afternoon Talkin’ Sport show was owned by Dallas Baker and Mike
Nui, who bought the airtime from 2SM’s Bill Caralis. The pair were
declared bankrupt last week, leaving a trail of debts.

One of the stars, who asked not to be named, told us: "They’ve
always been slow payers, but all of a sudden they’re declared bankrupt
and no-one has been paid.”

Caralis has taken over the running of the show but has given no
guarantee about back-paying the money owed. A spokesman said: "It’s not
Bill that owes the money. He’s actually owed money himself and will
also be trying to recover the money by whatever ways possible. "He’s
considering his legal options.”

The tension at 2SM has also created a rift between two of the on-air
personalities. Mark Warren, son of Channel Nine’s Ray Warren, has left
after a blazing row with Talkin’ Sport host Graeme Hughes.

Warren
hosted a popular boxing show with legendary trainer Johnny Lewis but
was recently axed – and he’s blaming Hughes for his demise. "I told him
he was a low bloke because he’s been knifing me to management,” Warren
told us.

Hughes offered: "In respect of Mark’s issues, it has nothing to do with me or anyone else here.”

Ed: Talkin’ Sport is heard on 2HD in Newcastle and the Hunter.

Popularity: 6%