Ex-Seven West Media boss Tim Worner is poised to make a media comeback as he chases the international rights to broadcast the NSW thoroughbred horse racing.
Worner is leading a group of local and international executives intent on taking over the North American broadcast rights of the horse racing from Tabcorp, reported The Australian.
The plan that has been over a year in the making, according the publication.
Although Seven maintains free-to-air rights to racing around the country, Tabcorp’s subsidiary Sky Racing World currently holds the lucrative international rights for the NSW thoroughbreds.
The planned move would see Worner’s return to media after stepping down as CEO from Seven in 2019 following six years in the role. He was replaced by James Warburton.
Worner notably pushed for racing on the network in 2015, and led to the establishment of racing.com, a free-to-air channel enterprise Racing Victoria.
It comes after the publication revealed this week that Racing NSW has been disappointed with the returns from Sky Racing in the North American market and are considering taking Tabcorp’s rights in the upcoming demerger.
David Attenborough, Tabcorp chief executive, did not entertain the potential loss of rights and instead told The Australian: “We‘ve done an assessment and there are no specific racing industry approvals required to complete the demerger.”
Tabcorp’s restructure will see the segregation of its lotteries division from its betting arm in a $10 billion move that is expected to be completed by June.
He noted Tabcorp’s 40 per cent in returns from North America over the last four years and the deal with BetMGM to bet on Australian racing, adding it would be hard to separate from the NSW rights.
Attenborough also said that Tabcorp had a long-term commercial agreement for the rights.
Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys praise the lift in numbers but said: “They also know I have certain rights in regards to the demerger.”
“I would have more confidence in them if David Attenborough and Steven Gregg were going to be at the helm in the long-term. I am concerned about the future and will do be doing everything I can to protect NSW racing,” he added, referring to chairman Gregg.
Attenborough will step down as CEO of Tabcorp, also in June. Sue van der Merwe will step in as chief executive of the newly formed The Lotteries Corporation, while Adam Rytenskild lead wagering and media.