Phil Rothfield Explained

Phil Rothfield is an Australian sports journalist who specialises in covering rugby league. He currently works for the Daily Telegraph in Sydney as an editor at large and regularly appears on NRL 360. Rothfield has mostly worked for News Corp. Rothfield has been covering rugby league in Sydney since 1978 and has covered sport in other countries including England, the US, Russia, and Brazil.[1]

Rothfield was involved in a scandal where it was alleged he accepted cash payments into his TAB account from a gambler and former brothel owner Eddie Hayson.[2] Rothefield later said this was a mistake which he learned from.[3]

In another scandal, he was photographed with a lingerie model despite frequently criticizing rugby league players for behaviour in their private life.[4]

Rothfield has a long running feud with Phil Gould.[5] He has also had feuds with Peter Sterling and Warren Ryan.[6] In 2017, he said “any journo doing their job has feuds".[3]

Notes and References

  1. News: Daily Telegraph. Our Journalists Phil Rothfield.
  2. News: Row over journalist Phil Rothfield's relationship with punter Eddie Hayson heats up. Sydney Morning Herald. Kate. McClymont. Kate McClymont. Nick. McKenzie. 1 August 2016.
  3. Web site: Mediaweek. What’s The Buzz? Getting to know controversial NRL columnist Buzz Rothfield. Kruti. Joshi. 25 May 2017.
  4. Web site: The Tele’s Chief NRL Writer Accused Of "Hypocrisy" After Racy Lingerie Photo Emerges. 13 September 2018. Bandt.
  5. News: Veteran journo Phil Rothfield hits back after Phil Gould’s fiery outburst. 11 July 2023. News.com.au.
  6. News: Phil Rothfield: Still Buzz-ing after 40 years. Daily Telegraph. Phil. Rothfield. 20 February 2016.