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| Craig Hutchison | |
|---|---|
 Hutchison hosting Footy Classified in 2023 | |
| Born | (1974-12-04) 4 December 1974 (age 50) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Other names | Hutchy |
| Education | Marist-Sion College |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Known for | CEO of Sports Entertainment Group Host of Footy Classified |
Craig Hutchison (born 4 December 1974) is an Australian journalist, sports broadcaster and businessman. He is the chief executive officer of Sports Entertainment Group.
Early life and career
Hutchison was born in Warragul, Victoria, Australia. He commenced his career as a journalist in 1994 as a cadet with the Herald Sun newspaper. Two years later, he moved to Sport 927, where he was producer of the Kevin Bartlett and Dr Turf Big Sports Breakfast Show for approximately one year. He then joined Channel Ten as a journalist and broke sport stories including Neil Balme's sacking at the Melbourne Football Club as senior coach, Alastair Lynch's drug hearing with the AFL, and the subsequent resignation of the Brisbane Lions chairman following the story.
Television career
Seven Network
In 1999, he joined the Seven Network and was promoted to chief football reporter, appearing on the nationally broadcast Sportsworld every Sunday. He was also 'fill-in' sports anchor for Seven News. He also worked in commentary as a caller in 2001.
Controversy
In 2004, he was at the centre of controversy when he wrongfully said St Kilda player Justin Koschitzke was being interviewed by police in relation to sexual misconduct allegations. Hutchison said Koschitzke and teammate Stephen Milne were involved, when it was actually allegedly Milne and Leigh Montagna. Channel Seven was forced to issue an apology to St Kilda and Koschitzke, and they issued a retraction. Milne and Montagna were subsequently advised by Victoria Police that no charges would be laid.
Nine Network
In 2007, Hutchison left the Seven Network to join Channel Nine's football team. He became host of Nine's newly-introduced talk show Footy Classified. He was also appointed as a reporter for The Footy Show, The Sunday Footy Show, and National Nine News.
In 2011, Hutchison played for Victoria in the annual EJ Whitten Legends Game kicking a banana goal from nearly 40 metres out. As of 2022, a video of the goal has been viewed in excess of 1.8 million times on YouTube alone. Hutchison scored two goals in the game.
Hutchison became host of The Sunday Footy Show in 2013 and then co-host of The Footy Show in 2017.
Return to Seven Network
In 2025, he will return to the Seven Network.
Radio career
Hutchison joined Triple M in 1997, and two years later he co-hosted the top-rating Ralphy and Hutch show, and he called AFL games every Saturday night from 1997 to 2005. Hutchison has shared Sundays with Sam Newman, James Brayshaw, Stephen Quartermain and Jason Dunstall, providing a preview of the day's game.
In 2006, he joined 3AW's football commentary team with Rex Hunt. In June 2007, Hutchison was sacked from 3AW. Management of the radio station took the action following a ratings plummet for its Saturday night football coverage.
In March 2008, Hutchison joined 1116 SEN and, since 2009, co-hosts Off The Bench on Saturday morning with Liam Pickering and Dr Turf.
Sports Entertainment Group
In 2006, Hutchison co-founded Crocmedia. In 2018, Pacific Star Network acquired Crocmedia. Hutchison subsequently became CEO of the merged company. In 2020, Crocmedia was rebranded as Sports Entertainment Network and Pacific Star Network was rebranded as Sports Entertainment Group. As of November 2023, he was on a $550,000 annual salary with SEN and was the company's second-largest shareholder.
In August 2024, after SEG sold the Perth Wildcats to Mark Arena, Hutchison joined the new Wildcats board.
Awards
Hutchison has been the recipient of many awards. These include being five-time winner of the AFL Media Association Awards' 'Best Electronic News Reporter' and winning a Quill (Victorian Journalism Award) for Best TV News Report in 2002.
References
- Oops, wrong bloke The Age 17 March 2004. Retrieved 5 April 2013
- Milne, Montagna both train despite investigation Sydney Morning Herald 17 March 2004. Retrieved 5 April 2013
- AFL pair won't face rape charges Sydney Morning Herald 7 May 2004. Retrieved 5 April 2013
- Level the playing field The Age 15 September 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2013
- GREATEST GOAL IN AFL HISTORY, retrieved 10 February 2022
- Toey Craig Hutchison kicks on for Legends match Herald Sun 7 July 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2013
- Hutchy's EJ Whitten Legends match gear stolen Herald Sun 6 July 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2013
- Craig Hutchison to return to Seven after nearly 20 years Mumbrella 27 November 2024
- Axe falls on vaudeville footy Herald Sun 22 June 2007. Retrieved 3 April 2013
- Being sacked by 3AW best thing that's happened to Craig Hutchison's radio career, The Age 6 March 2008. Retrieved 3 April 2013
- Murfett, Andrew (9 March 2017). "Despite many setbacks, Craig Hutchison has become a major player in TV sport". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
- ^ Pierik, Jon (8 January 2018). "Craig Hutchison to be biggest shareholder in SEN in Crocmedia deal". The Age. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
- Crocmedia tears into the footy market The Australian 26 October 2009. Retrieved 3 April 2013
- "PSN rebrands Crocmedia as Sports Entertainment Network". radiotoday.com.au. 30 September 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
- "Sports Entertainment Group". businessnews.com.au. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
- "Sports Entertainment Network year of aggressive growth lifted revenue and profit". Mediaweek. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
The year saw two rebrands under CEO Craig Hutchison with the names Pacific Star Network and Crocmedia being dropped for Sports Entertainment Group and Sports Entertainment Network.
- Jaspan, Calum (14 November 2023). "Craig Hutchison's sports and media empire on the ropes as directors, auditor sound alarm". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- O'Donoghue, Craig (14 August 2024). "New Perth Wildcats owner Mark Arena focused on winning NBL championships instead of chasing profits". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 14 August 2024.
With Sports Entertainment Group still having a significant financial stake in the club, their CEO Craig Hutchison will become part of a New Wildcats board along with SEN's Chief Operating Officer Jodie Simm.
- Quills Honour Roll 2002 | Retrieved 3 April 2013 Archived 24 July 2013 at the Wayback Machine