A Channel Nine sports presenter has been taken off the air for allegedly accepting a $50,000 cash prize from Melbourne billionaire Adrian Portelli.
Portelli — who is known for his cash and property giveaways — was handed the moniker “Lambo Guy” after he arrived at The Block’s house auctions in 2022 in a yellow Lamborghini.
However, in a bid to rid himself of the nickname, the billionaire is understood to have put up a $50,000 cash prize this week to the first television presenter to call him “McLaren Man” on air.
Nine journalist and Today Show host Alex Cullen reportedly took up the challenge on Friday morning in a live cross from the Australian Open to the Today studio, where both he and host Karl Stefanovich used the new nickname.
As reported by the Herald Sun, Cullen later posted a clip of the exchange on his Instagram.
Portelli reposted this, writing “I think we have a winner.”
The billionaire later shared a screenshot of a bank transfer which purported to show $50,000 transferred to Cullen with the comment: “We have a winner! Well played sir.”
The reported ‘payment’ to Cullen. Source: Adrian Portelli / Instagram
The Media and Entertainment Arts Alliance (MEAA) Journalist Code of Ethics addresses the acceptance of cash and gifts by media professionals, noting journalists should “not allow personal interest, or any belief, commitment, payment, gift or benefit” to undermine their accuracy, fairness or independence.
It also states journalists should not “improperly use a journalistic position for personal gain”.
Portelli’s McLaren Senna GTR, which he is believed to have purchased last year. Source: Instagram
Cullen has been taken off air by Nine while the incident is investigated.
“Nine is taking this matter extremely seriously. Appropriate action has been promptly taken, including arranging for the funds to be returned,” a Nine spokesperson told PEDESTRIAN.TV, which is wholly owned by Nine.
“While we review the circumstances in which this occurred, Alex has agreed to stand down.”
Following the incident, it is understood Herald Sun journalist Fiona Byrne began receiving online threats and abuse by Portelli’s followers after she reported the alleged transaction and referred to him as “Lambo Guy” instead of his new, preferred nickname this weekend.
As reported by 7News, Portelli reportedly took to Instagram urging Byrne to “be respectful and use [his] real name” or he would “come up with a nickname” and “blast it all over [his] socials”.
“Once you disrespect me, I am going to put my foot down — they are subconsciously trying to degrade me by giving me this nickname, and I’m over it,” Portelli said, per 7News.
Portelli is alleged to have encouraged his more than 460,000 Instagram followers to think up nicknames, with a $5,000 prize for the “winner”.
“If journos wanna bully, let’s bully back,” 7News quoted him as saying.
Byrne’s Instagram profile has been turned private.
Portelli and his company LMCT+ are currently facing charges in South Australia for allegedly personally conducting or assisting in the running of an unlawful lottery.
Alongside nine charges against Portelli, his company, Xclusive Tech Pty Ltd, which runs under LMCT+, is also charged with 10 counts of the same offence.
South Australia’s Consumer and Business Services alleges Portelli and his business did not hold a license when the lotteries took place between January 2023 and May 2024, including prizes such as luxury cars and properties he obtained from The Block.
Lead image source: Don Arnold / Getty Images
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