Media mogul Eddie McGuire is not only one of the most divisive characters in the AFL scene, but Australia generally. Now the president of Collingwood Football Club and the Melbourne Stars, McGuire has had a long and varied career that has seen him work and continue to work on radio, television, and print journalism.
After starting his career as a sports journalist for The Herald, McGuire became well known for fronting the AFL Footy Show from 1994 to 2005. McGuire also began hosting the Australian version of the game show Who Wants to Be A Millionaire in 1999 until its cancellation in 2006. This was the same year that McGuire worked his way up to the position of CEO for Channel 9.
McGuire’s face and voice have appeared on several different radio and television programs over the past two decades, ranging from news and current affairs, to sport, lifestyle and entertainment. McGuire has even turned his seemingly ceaseless hand to AFL commentary, occasionally commentating interstate games for Fox Footy, where he also serves as a host. During this plethora of roles, McGuire has served as the president of Collingwood Football Club since 1998, overseeing all aspects of the club for twenty years.
H
owever, McGuire has often found himself in hot water for insensitive comments, particularly on radio. He alienated many in his treatment of the Adam Goodes racial abuse incident and subsequent fallout, as well as received widespread condemnation for his comments about esteemed AFL journalist Caroline Wilson.
Despite these unsavoury incidents, McGuire continues to have a prominent role across the media. He currently hosts Millionaire Hot Seat on Channel Nine, as well as Triple M’s Melbourne breakfast show. McGuire will be hoping that his faith in Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley will pay off, in their mutual quest for another premiership in the coming years.
