Kane Cornes has resigned from his position as an AFL All-Australian selector and Rising Star judge to remain with Sportsbet, following the betting company's policy change regarding talent in official roles.
The policy shift came to light after AFL field umpire Nick Foot was cut by Sportsbet this week amid controversy surrounding his dual role as a horse racing betting analyst. Foot had been involved in the Zak Butters tribunal saga, where Butters allegedly questioned Foot's integrity.
Cornes, who had been on the All-Australian panel since 2022, said he chose to honour his existing contract with Sportsbet rather than break it. He acknowledged a conflict of interest, as the Rising Star award can be bet on with Sportsbet.
“I’ve got an existing contract with Sportsbet that I want to honour,” Cornes said on Channel 7’s The Agenda Setters. “I could have walked away from it, no doubt, but I would have been breaking a contract - I don’t have the same contract at the AFL.”
Cornes will continue his role on the Sportsbet-produced podcast “In The Back Pocket.” The AFL was supportive of his decision, according to Cornes.
