Seven signs cricketer Brett Lee

Aussie cricketer Brett Lee has signed with the Seven Network.

He will appear with Seven News and Sunrise.

“Brett is a champion,” Seven’s David Leckie said. “He’s got the personality and the smarts to build a career in television beyond cricket.

“We’re actively developing plans for him across our network. We’ll be unveiling those plans in the new year. For the moment, we want him to focus on him leading the Australian bowling attack against India, Sri Lanka and New Zealand over the summer.”

No word if he had to do a dancing audition before signing the contract.

Press Release:

The Seven Network today signed Brett Lee. Lee – leading Australia’s bowling attack in the current cricket test series – will play a key role across Seven’s portfolio of news and information programming, including Seven News and Sunrise.

Lee’s signing was announced today by David Leckie, Chief Executive Officer of Seven Media Group. “Brett is a champion,” Leckie said. “He’s got the personality and the smarts to build a career in television beyond cricket.

“We’re pleased he’s made the decision to come to the network that’s going places.

“Brett will play a key role in our leading news and information programmes, including Sunrise and Seven News, and we’re actively developing plans for him across our network.

“We’ll be unveiling those plans in the new year. For the moment, we want him to focus on him leading the Australian bowling attack against India, Sri Lanka and New Zealand over the summer.”

Lee has now played 60 tests and 157 one day internationals wearing the baggy green. He has taken 247 test wickets in a first class career spanning eight years. He was Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year in 2000 and Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2006. He has been named Player of the Series in the current test series.

Commenting, Lee said: “I am delighted to be associated with the Seven Network. This relationship will allow me to be involved in areas outside cricket which are also of great interest.

I look forward to developing new skills and helping the Seven Network reach its goals.”

Lee’s signing comes as Seven heads into its biggest year in sports, headlined by The Australian Open Tennis, the Australian Football League (with Seven the only network with the AFL Grand Final), the V8 Supercar Championship (including the Bathurst 1000), the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing, the Wallabies’ rugby test campaign, the Melbourne Cup Carnival, the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race and the major golf tournaments: The Australian Masters and The Australian Open.