Foxtel CEO Hits Back At Criticism Of Fox Sports' Rugby Coverage

Patrick DelanyGETTY IMAGES

Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany responded "swiftly" to a report in which a sports consultant said that Fox Sports "should be doing more to help make over Super Rugby in Australia," according to Robinson & Decent of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The story "struck a raw nerve" at the top of the organization and "precipitated a number of heated phone calls to rugby types on Wednesday." Consultant Colin Smith, from Global Media & Sports, said that Foxtel had "neglected" Super Rugby and had its "hands off the tiller." Despite being offered the chance to comment before the story was published, Delany released a statement saying, "The issues that rugby faces are issues for those who run the game, and that is not us. Fox Sports is a broadcaster. We do not run sports. To suggest we should grab anyone else's tiller is inappropriate. We are here to support our partners and will of course, respond if asked for advice. We provide the platform and the megaphone for the game" (SMH, 5/24).