Corey Parker loses job at Fox League in shock new fallout to Kevin Walters’ Broncos sacking
Corey Parker’s job at Fox League has become collateral damage in the wake of Kevin Walters’ sacking by the Broncos. In a move that has polarised NRL fans, Fox has told Parker it is replacing him with “another Queensland option” after almost a decade with the network.
Walters, who has removed as Brisbane coach in September, will take Parker’s spot on the Fox commentary team in 2025. “With regards to my role coming to the end of its tenure with Fox Sports, Fox have stipulated that they have another ‘Queensland’ option that they have decided to go with moving forward,” Parker told Nine Newspapers.
“I am, of course, disappointed. I loved my role there. I know I was hard-working, well-prepared, honest, transparent, of strong opinion and open. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of it for the past nine years.”
The former Broncos and Queensland forward garnered strong support from viewers due to his forthright views on the game. Pointedly, he recently swum against the tide of the Broncos’ old boys following Walters’ shock axing.
Corey Parker supported Broncos’ call to sack Kevin Walters
While many ex-players ripped into the club following the decision, Parker defended the move. He told SEN Radio: “We all love Kevvie, he’s a loveable guy… a club legend but he has been at the club for four years. I find it hard to see that he’s been disrespected. The club made a business decision to move forward.
“By all reports, they (the Broncos board) wanted to keep Kevin on, and they did everything around Kevin…but once the review came out, it was untenable that they were able to keep him on. The evidence provided from the players and the staff was heavily weighing against him which is why they made the call.”
NRL fans divided after Corey Parker replaced by Kevin Walters
League fans are divided over the decision to replace Parker with Walters. “Not a fan of this move at all to be honest, Corey Parker was one of the better FOX commentators with his breakdowns of play in my opinion,” one viewer wrote on social media. Another said: “Fox make some strange decisions. I’d much rather listen to Corey than Walters any day.”
But others were critical of Parker’s perceived bias towards Queensland and the Broncos. Parker will remain in the media, re-joining former Australia wicket-keeper Ian Healy on Radio SENQ’s breakfast show in 2025 – pitting him head-to-head with wife Margaux on Triple M.
He said: “It’s a privilege to share the studio with an icon of sport in Heals, and to partner and work with the team at SEN Breakfast/SENQ. I’m looking forward to bringing in the big-name guests, having strong debate on all the tough topics, and engaging with our passionate audience to deliver a first-class sports show. I couldn’t be more excited for what this show will deliver.”
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