Today Show sports presenter Alex Cullen has reportedly stepped down from his presenting role on the Channel 9 breakfast show, amid news surfacing that he received a $50,000 payment linked to billionaire Adrian Portelli.
Frustrated with being known as “Mr Lambo,” Portelli offered $50,000 to anyone in the media who called him “McLaren Man” on air, with Cullen quick to take up the challenge during a Today segment while he was presenting from the Australian Open in Melbourne on Friday.
Cullen later sharing a clip of it on his Instagram account (now removed) with Portelli responding on the post calling Cullen the winner, who later shared proof of the $50,000 transfer with a screen grab of the transaction on his social media — quickly calling into question whether accepting the money was the right move.
News of Cullen receiving the funds made headlines over the weekend, before Herald Sun broke the news on Saturday evening that Cullen had stood down from his role, with the network saying they were “taking this matter extremely seriously“.
A spokesperson for the Network adding:
“Appropriate action has been promptly taken, including arranging for the funds to be returned.”
“While we review the circumstances in which this occurred, Alex has agreed to stand down.”
Cullen has received widespread online support since news broke of him being stood down, with many defending him as having done nothing wrong and urging Channel 9 that he shouldn’t lose his job over the payment, while others have highlighted Portelli’s well documented generosity.
The well known entrepreneur surprised everyone when he splashed $15 million to buy all 5 properties on The Block during last years show, later raffling them off to his subscribers on his LMCT+ platform – with the winner going on to instead take $8 million in cash.
With more details still to come, it is unlikely Cullen will return to The Today Show on Monday and who will fill in in his absence.
*This story updates
That’s a lot of Spotlight Per Diems 😉
Above all Adrian needs to be shut down. He’s making a mockery of the entire system. It’s sad how much power he thinks he has, mainly derived from having majority of the low-socio economic community under his spell- all desperate for the carrot Adrian dangles in front of their noses- whilst he rubs the proceeds of their funds in their faces. The solution is actually quite simple- close the trade promotion loopholes. Limit the value of the trade promotion “prize” to something equivalent to the subscription value. Ie: a more common trade promotion would be buy a slab ($50) and win an esky ($200). They should limit the prize to something similar to the monthly subscription value- ie: $20 a month- win a $100 voucher. Then let’s see how many subscribers hang around for the “life changing discount club”. Not a high stakes, high pressure prize such as a house or luxury car. I think after he loses in SA the remaining states will need to follow and restrict the laws. Hurry up VGGC and related states commissions!
Recently they were showing Alex’s beautiful wife and family…. how could they do this to a family they were apparently admiring ..or were they just using them parasitically for commercial reasons ??? But in saying that, Alex should habe been smart enough to not have taken the money and just made a joke out of it or instantly send the money to a charity.
So Alex Cullen was the first journalist to respond to a social media request made by Portelli, who offered $50,000 to anyone who called him “McLaren Man” in the media, instead of the nickname “Lambo Guy” which he has come to be known for. He has since paid out the $50k to other journalists for taking on the challenge. Why does he have to give the money back ? I would be telling channel 9 “it’s not up to you I’m keeping it” They have already stepped him down so I would be keeping it. Hope if Alex don’t get his job back, Adrian Portelli gives him a million dollar to stick it to channel 9, cos it’s ok from networks to take money from politicians, etc to push their campaigns, views,etc which is way worse and harmful but their workers can’t do a harmless challenge for money.
Bit of a dumb move to take cash for comments.
Not really giving much journalistic integrity, but that seems to be a thing of the past.
Remember the big $40k cheque that Gina gave Barnaby.
Cunning little prick got caught out!