- Employed as a contractor, commands huge salary
Speculation has swirled about presenter Mel McLaughlin’s future at Channel Seven amid suggestions she may be on borrowed time – but the Daily Mail has learned the reason for her recent absence is simple.
Insiders told the Daily Mail that McLaughlin is simply considered expensive and the network prefer to shell out for her during ratings season.
McLaughlin – who it was revealed this week had split from her long-term boyfriend, football coach Ashley Westwood – was reportedly blindsided last month when Seven announced Matt White was returning to the broadcaster.
White has spent the past five years on morning radio with sports station SEN and will be the face of Seven’s expanded NRL coverage this season.
McLaughlin – whose reported salary of $500,000 was slashed following Seven’s recent merger with media company SCA – was also overlooked for a hosting role ahead of the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Racing identity Emma Freedman will instead join Sunrise host Matt Shirvington as anchors of the primetime coverage.
Mel McLaughlin’s future at Channel 7 has been assured – but the sports presenter has split from her long-term boyfriend, football coach Ashley Westwood
‘Look, Mel hasn’t been around much lately because she is very expensive,’ a TV insider said.
‘So the big dogs (at Seven) only get the chequebook out during ratings season.’
It is understood that McLaughlin is exclusively contracted to the network, but isn’t a full-time employee.
That means McLaughlin invoices Seven when she appears on air – an arrangement that has favourable tax benefits, but means she does not accrue staff benefits such as annual leave.
Born and raised in Sydney, McLaughlin rose to prominence after joining Fox Sports in 2007.
Six years later, McLaughlin was poached by Network Ten to host its Big Bash coverage.
She then attracted headlines in January 2016 after being propositioned by West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle when he was playing for the Melbourne Renegades.
In a live cross, Gayle asked McLaughlin for a drink after a Big Bash League game in Hobart and then told her ‘don’t blush, baby’ when she looked visibly embarrassed.
It comes as McLaughlin, 46, continues to be on extended leave at the free-to-air network
McLaughlin was reportedly blindsided when Seven announced Matt White (pictured) was returning to the broadcaster in January after five years with sports station SEN
McLaughlin – whose reported salary of $500,000 was slashed following Seven’s merger with media company SCA last month – was also overlooked for a hosting role ahead of the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games
Gayle was later fined $10,000 and insisted he was joking.
‘I’ve been embarrassed by the attention because it’s not what I’m about,’ McLaughlin said at the time.
‘I can handle myself, I’ve done many interviews. I know a lot of people have had an opinion on it.
‘I understand why people wanted to talk about it. It is something that strikes a chord with people (but) I just want to do my job.’
Seven was approached for comment.