McAvaney extends Seven role

LEGENDARY sports broadcaster Bruce McAvaney has recommitted to Channel 7 for the next two years – until the end of 2024 – leaving the door ajar to chase a 50-year career milestone.

McAvaney is preparing to call the opening ceremony coverage and then the athletics at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham – his first overseas trip in almost three years.

The newly inducted Logies Hall of Fame member said conversations in recent months with Seven Melbourne managing director Lewis Martin and Seven West Media boss James Warburton sealed plans to continue for at least the next two years.

“I am intending to work for Seven for another couple of years at least,” McAvaney (right), 69, said. “I have had a chat to ‘Lewy’ (Martin) and James Warburton about that. I am intending to go on to at least the end of 2024.

“All the networks are in an interesting space right now. There are a lot of negotiations going on for sporting prizes at the moment. But unless something changes dramatically, I think I am capable of working for at least another 2½ years.”

McAvaney started in sports broadcasting in 1976. He famously took a day off as a clerk to travel from Adelaide to Kilmore in country Victoria to attend a race meeting.

On the trip, he met an Adelaide racecaller, a chat that led to a new career path for him in radio and later in television.

His new commitment with Channel 7 until the end of 2024 would take McAvaney to just a few years short of 50 years in the sports media.

McAvaney said: “I’m excited about what’s ahead. I firmly believe that there is no reason why I can’t get better (as a sports caller).”