Furious Nine execs consider wielding powerful tool to delay star sports journo from jumping ship
Furious Channel Nine bosses are considering wielding a non-compete clause to delay their star AFL reporter Tom Morris’ shock move to the Seven Network.
Last week Nine’s chief football reporter Tom Morris told his current employer he would be jumping ship to rival network Channel Seven.
It is believed Mr Morris, 34, was promised by Seven he could work on cricket, his first passion, and also become a member of the AFL game day commentating team.
However, the defection has reportedly left Nine bosses seething, with senior executives now mulling using a non-compete clause to force Mr Morris to remain at the network for at least six more months, according to the Herald Sun.
The chief football reporter, who is currently on leave, is contracted with Nine until the end of the year.
Mr Morris is not only Nine’s prime newsbreaker, but also hosts the Footy Furnace show on Sunday nights and is a regular panellist on the Footy Classified program.
The move to use a non-compete clause would not be without precedent, with Nine complicating Caroline Wilson’s move to Seven.
Ms Wilson was not featured in any promotional material for the new Channel Seven show and was omitted from all advertising until the program eventually launched just before the 2025 season.
Mr Morris’ desertion is yet another blow for Nine’s sport department, with the network now losing three long-standing Footy Classified stars to Seven.
Kane Cornes, described as football media’s most quoted voice, last year made the move to Seven.
Months later Sports Entertainment Network chief executive Craig Hutchison also announced he would join Seven.
Mr Cornes, Mr Hutchinson and Ms Wilson then became the star faces of the network’s new hit show, The Agenda Setters.
The complex deal to lure Mr Morris to Seven was put together by the network’s sport boss Chris Jones and Mr Hutchinson.
Together, Mr Morris and Mr Hutchinson have transformed Seven’s AFL offering.
Mr Morris has worked at Nine since March 2023 after he was sacked from Fox Sports for misogynistic remarks about a female co-worker.
