Kane Cornes Quits All-Australian Panel After Sportsbet Policy Change

Key facts

• Kane Cornes has resigned from the AFL All-Australian selection panel, a role he held since 2022.
• Sportsbet implemented a policy change barring officials from any code after the saga involving AFL umpire Nick Foot.
• The All-Australian panel also votes on the Rising Star award, which is a betting market on Sportsbet.
• Cornes will continue his agreement with Sportsbet-produced programs, per 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary.
• Nick Foot cut ties with Sportsbet after the Zak Butters tribunal saga and was informed late last week his services were no longer required.
• Foot stated he values his time with Sportsbet and looks forward to continuing his umpiring role with professionalism.

Conflict of Interest Forces Resignation

Kane Cornes, the Channel 7 commentator and former AFL player, has stepped down from his position on the AFL All-Australian selection panel. The decision follows a policy change by Sportsbet, which now prohibits the employment of officials from any sporting code. Cornes had been a member of the panel since 2022. Sportsbet’s new rule emerged from the controversy surrounding AFL umpire Nick Foot, who had been working as a horse racing analyst for the bookmaker. The policy shift aims to eliminate conflicts of interest, particularly in roles that influence betting markets.

The Nick Foot Saga That Triggered the Change

The policy change was prompted by the Zak Butters tribunal saga, which brought scrutiny to umpire Nick Foot’s dual role. Foot, an AFL field umpire, had been a regular on Sportsbet’s racing coverage. After the Butters case, Foot decided to cut ties with the betting giant. 7NEWS understands that Foot was informed late last week that his services were no longer required by Sportsbet. In a statement on Monday, Foot described his time with the Get On racing team as something he will always value, highlighting the privilege of broadcasting racing and interviewing industry figures. He affirmed his commitment to his umpiring role, stating he looks forward to serving the game with professionalism.

Cornes’ Dual Role and the Rising Star Conflict

Cornes’ role on the All-Australian selection panel extends beyond the senior team; the panel also votes on the Rising Star award. The Rising Star award is a betting market on Sportsbet, creating a direct conflict of interest for Cornes, who is contracted to produce content for the bookmaker. By stepping down from the official AFL role, Cornes resolves this conflict. However, his ongoing agreement with Sportsbet-produced programs remains intact, as confirmed by 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary. This allows Cornes to continue his media work without the ethical complications of influencing award outcomes that are subject to betting.

AFL’s Stance and Broader Implications

The AFL has consistently backed Nick Foot throughout the recent weeks, expressing comfort with his partnership as a horse racing analyst. The league’s position suggests that it does not see an inherent conflict in umpires having outside media roles, provided they are not directly related to AFL betting markets. However, Sportsbet’s policy change indicates a shift in the betting industry’s approach to employing code officials. The move may set a precedent for other bookmakers, potentially affecting commentators and officials who hold dual roles. Cornes’ resignation is a direct consequence of this new policy, highlighting the growing scrutiny of conflicts of interest in sports betting.

What Comes Next for Cornes and the Panel

With Cornes’ departure, the All-Australian selection panel will need to fill his spot. The AFL has not yet announced a replacement or commented on the vacancy. Cornes, meanwhile, will continue his role as a commentator for Channel 7 and his involvement with Sportsbet’s programming. The incident underscores the delicate balance between media roles and official sporting positions in an era of widespread sports betting. As betting markets expand, the potential for conflicts of interest will likely remain a contentious issue, prompting further policy reviews by both leagues and bookmakers.

The bottom line

• Kane Cornes resigned from the AFL All-Australian panel due to a Sportsbet policy barring code officials.
• The policy change was triggered by the Nick Foot controversy, which involved an AFL umpire also working for Sportsbet.
• Cornes will keep his Sportsbet media deal, but his official AFL role was deemed incompatible with the new rules.
• The All-Australian panel also selects the Rising Star, a betting market on Sportsbet, creating a direct conflict.
• The AFL has not yet named a replacement for Cornes on the selection panel.
• Sportsbet’s move may influence other bookmakers to adopt similar policies regarding officials from sporting codes.