Former TV bosses back in the news

Former network CEOs Hugh Marks and Tim Worner have both been aligned to sports organisations in news reports this week.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports ex-Nine CEO Hugh Marks has been head-hunted by the NRL to head up the code’s collective bargaining agreement negotiations with players.

Marks, who is also said to be pursuing a Sydney studios project with ex Endemol Shine CEO Carl Fennessy, will be be responsible for liaising with the clubs, NRL and  Rugby League Players’ Association to secure a new deal for 2023 and beyond. Whilst running Nine, Marks hit out at NRL management, when it was headed up by CEO Todd Greenberg at the time.

Meanwhile former Seven CEO Tim Worner is rumoured to be leading a consortium trying to wrest overseas broadcast rights for NSW horse racing away from Tabcorp.

Seven still holds free-to-air rights to racing around Australia but international rights to NSW thoroughbreds have been distributed by Tabcorp subsidiary Sky Racing World.

The Herald Sun reports Racing NSW administrators have been disappointed with the returns from Sky Racing for the North American market, where sports betting is booming, and have been considering stripping Tabcorp of the rights.

Tim Worner has part-owned several race horses, including 2019 Melbourne Cup favourite Constantinople.