Canterbury Bulldogs boss and long-time Channel 9 commentator Phil Gould is undoubtedly the highest profile.
But when it comes to having fingers in multiple rugby league pies at the same time, Gus is far from alone.
Fox League host and player agent Braith Anasta was at the centre of several awkward moments during the 2025 NRL season, on one occasion openly pushing the mid-season selection credentials of his client Lachlan Ilias on NRL 360 when Ilias was stuck in NSW Cup at the Dragons, while later in the season Anasta interviewed one of his own players—ex-Storm playmaker Jonah Pezet—on live TV when Pezet was known be actively considering a switch of clubs.
Just this week, two more NRL media personalities have been announced as new minority shareholders in the Gold Coast Titans, Matty Johns and Gordon Tallis, despite ongoing television and radio deals.
MORE: NRL to crack down on player poaching with tough new anti-tampering rules
It remains to be seen if Michael Ennis will be able to continue in the Fox League commentary box in 2026—something he is reportedly keen to do—despite having recently signed as an assistant coach at the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Meanwhile, SEN radio’s Joel Cain also represents Sportsbet in a relationship that raises an entirely different set of questions.
These are just some of the more overt examples right now, it doesn’t take much digging to unearth more across the current NRL media landscape.
While no-one is doubting the integrity or credentials of any of these former players—nor their ability to add significant value and insight to coverage of the game via their media roles—doing so whilst they simultaneously occupy other influential positions within the game is, at best, a poor look.
Is the talent pool really that small?
Given the NRL’s recently-reported moves to tighten anti-tampering rules around player signings, it seems perhaps the tide is beginning to turn, making this a story to watch closely in the lead-up to the 2026 NRL season.