The controversy surrounding former Triple M radio presenter Marty Sheargold has taken a new turn, with his ex-colleagues speaking out against his comments about the Matildas and women’s sport.
Sheargold parted ways with the station after his comments sparked widespread outrage, and now female presenters who have worked with him in the past are sharing their thoughts on the matter.
A Scathing Post from Meshel Laurie
Comedian, author, and podcaster Meshel Laurie, who worked with Sheargold on the Meshel, Tim and Marty breakfast show on Nova 106.9 in Brisbane, took to Instagram to express her feelings about the situation.
Laurie praised Leisel Jones, a co-host of the Triple M Breakfast show on the Gold Coast, who issued an emotional statement on-air about the controversy.
“Congratulations Triple M Melbourne and Southern Cross Austereo,” Laurie wrote. “An Australian commercial radio network has actually ‘parted ways’ with a male presenter over his toxic attitude towards women.”
The Comments That Sparked Outrage
Sheargold’s comments, made during a discussion about the Matildas’ performance in the SheBelieves Cup, have been widely condemned.
He compared the team to “Year 10 girls” and expressed his disinterest in women’s sport, saying he’d “rather hammer a nail through the head of my penis than watch that.”
The comments were met with immediate backlash, with many calling for Sheargold to be sacked.
The Industry is Changing, But There’s Still Work to Be Done
Laurie’s post highlighted the fact that the industry is slowly changing, and that women are no longer willing to tolerate toxic behavior from their male colleagues.
“Is it possible the industry is actually changing?” she wrote. “Well done Leisel Jones and well done Triple M.
This is huge.” However, she also noted that there’s still a long way to go, and that women in radio need to keep pushing for change.
Georgie Tunny Slams Sheargold on The Project
Journalist and TV producer Georgie Tunny, who has previously worked with Sheargold, also spoke out against his comments on The Project.
Tunny said she wasn’t shocked by Sheargold’s remarks, and that she’s “sick and tired” of the kind of language and attitude he displayed.
“If you are understanding and accepting the premise of his comments as humour or funny, then you are also accepting that women and women’s sport is the butt of the joke, again and again and again,” she said.
The Matildas Deserve Respect
Tunny also pointed out the popularity of the Matildas, noting that their semi-final defeat to England in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup reached a massive 11.5 million Australians.
“The Matildas were the most watched thing ever on Australian television, so it just gets me so angry that we have to talk about this,” she said.
Channel 7 sports presenter Mel McLaughlin also condemned Sheargold’s comments, saying they were “bizarre, pathetic and embarrassing.”
A New Era for Women’s Sport?
The fallout from Sheargold’s comments has sparked a wider conversation about women’s sport and the need for respect and equality.
As the industry continues to evolve, it’s clear that there’s still work to be done to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in sport and media.
But with women like Laurie, Jones, and Tunny speaking out, it’s clear that change is on the horizon.