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Paul Kent (journalist)

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This article is about the Australian journalist. For other persons of the same name, see Paul Kent.

Paul Kent
Personal information
Born (1969-09-04) 4 September 1969 (age 55)
Orange, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
PositionHalfback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1989 Parramatta Eels 1 0 0 0 0
Source: [1]

Paul Kent is a former Australian journalist and former rugby league footballer.[2]

Playing career

In 1989, he played in one first grade match for Parramatta at halfback, becoming the 481st player for the club.[3]

Media career

Since retiring, he became a journalist with The Daily Telegraph and NRL 360 on Fox Sports alongside former player Braith Anasta.

He has written two books; Sonny Ball and Johnny Lewis: The Biography — about Sonny Bill Williams and Johnny Lewis, respectively.[4] Sonny Ball was chosen as one of the best sports books of 2015 by Australian newspaper The New Daily.[5] Kent is a weekly panel member for Triple M's Sunday NRL Show.

Kent's opinions of Melbourne coach, Craig Bellamy, brought forth a response from the coach who claimed the accusations were disrespectful and out of line.[6]

In May 2022, Kent left his position from radio station Triple M after he claimed to have a differing view to an on air incident with fellow presenter Anthony Maroon. Kent was asked to apologise over the incident in which Kent along with James Hooper bullied Maroon live on air. Kent refused to apologise to the station which resulted in him handing in his resignation.[7] He later wrote an opinion piece on the incident in which he said, "We live in a world of snowflakes, sadly.”[8]

Kent is often the target for articles in the satirical newspaper the Betoota Advocate who make fun of his one-game rugby league career and opinions, and suggest he frequently appears on television while under the influence of alcohol.[9][10][11] These articles were invoked by members of the Penrith Panthers rugby league team who had been criticised by Kent.[12]

In February 2023, it was reported in the Sydney Morning Herald that Kent had an altercation at the season launch for Kayo with journalist Mike Meehall Wood who had been critical of Kent. The article referred to Kent as "one of the angriest men in sports media".[13]

2023 assault charges

In May 2023, Kent was arrested after he allegedly assaulted a woman following an argument at his home. He was charged with common assault and choking a woman without consent. He was temporarily stood down from his roles at The Daily Telegraph and Fox Sports.[14] The woman was revealed to be an ex-girlfriend of Kent's.[15]

On 17 May 2023, Kent plead not guilty to the charges, and the trial was set down for November. Kent told the media his employers "fully support me” and that he was "embarrassed about" the charges "but unfortunately it’s beyond my control so I’ll just let the court process see its way through now and once we get to the end then we can hopefully see some things through different eyes."[16] Fox Sports removed the back catalogue of NRL 360 following the charges against Kent.[17] NRL players such as Matt Lodge, James Maloney and Cameron King have argued that Kent has been treated by the media far more leniently than NRL players for reported bad behaviour.[18] Paul Kent told the media "It's the rugby league soap opera. It’s the way it rolls. It’s my day in the storyline right now and that’s fine. People are entitled to their opinions.” This response, referring to an allegation of domestic violence as a soap opera, was criticised by Ray Hadley among others.[19]

In 2016, Kent wrote an article about the Full Stop Foundation, an organisation hoping to end sexual assault and violence against women.[20] He was an ambassador for the organisation.[21] On 15 May 2023, Full Stop announced that a tweet by Kent from 2017 that "included a picture of Kent & commentary on his former ambassadorship which ended 6 years ago, has been deleted."[22]

In November 2023, Kent was charged with a third domestic violence offence.[23]

In September 2023, it was revealed Kent was working part-time as a limousine driver for a funeral home in Sydney while waiting for his case to be heard.[24] On 12 December 2023, Kent was found not guilty of allegations he attacked and choked his then-partner at his home in Sydney’s inner west.[25]

2024 restaurant fight

In April 2024, Kent was stood down from Fox Sports after being involved in a physical altercation outside a Totti's, a Sydney restaurant.[26] According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald shortly after the incident, "Kent’s gradual unravelling during the past few months has been the talk of rugby league circles and has been well known to those who work with him at Fox."[27] [28]

Several days before the incident Kent had engaged in a discussion on NRL 360 about a scuffle in the tunnel between Reed Mahoney and Jack Hetherington during a Bulldogs vs Knights game. Kent was highly critical of the players, saying "I think the whole thing's embarrassing, I think the melees are embarrassing for the game... This sort of stuff where they all run in jumper-grabbing, I don’t think that covers anyone in glory, everyone just looks ridiculous doing it."[29]

Kent's lawyer asked for the charge against Kent to be dealt with under the Mental Health Act. This prompted fellow journalist Danny Weidler to write a column referring to "Kent’s obvious problem with alcohol" and the fact "his behaviour during the past two years has been erratic, and many in rugby league have questioned the company he has been keeping." Weidler also claimed Kent "had privately expressed fears he may have been suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)" caused by his careers in boxing and football, because of his "struggles with the anger he displayed most nights on TV, and sometimes away from it."[30]

On 1 July, 2024 it was reported that Kent had parted ways with Fox Sports.[31]

References

  1. ^ Paul Kent rugbyleagueproject.org
  2. ^ Tristan K'Nell (10 May 2020). "Episode 171 Paul Kent". Talking With TK (Podcast). Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Official Player Numbers". Telstra Media. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  4. ^ "The Telegraph's sport team". The Daily Telegraph. 16 May 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  5. ^ "The New Daily's best sports books of 2015". THE NEW DAILY. 4 December 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  6. ^ "'It got personal': Craig Bellamy lashes out at 'disrespectful' accusations". 7News. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  7. ^ "Paul Kent quits Triple M after on-air blow-up with Anthony Maroon". www.news.com.au.
  8. ^ Gollasch, Grace (13 May 2022). "Paul Kent comments on his departure from Triple M". Media Week. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  9. ^ Overell, Clancy. "Visibly Hungover Paul Kent Disgusted By Youthful Polynesians Enjoying The Fruits Of Hard Work And Talent". The Betoota Advocate. - please note this is a satirical article
  10. ^ Dennett, Keith T. "NRL 360 Lean on Paul Kent's Glittering One Game Career To Analyse NRL Finals Week". The Betoota Advocate. - please note this is a satirical article
  11. ^ Overell, Clancy. "Ivan Rocks Up To Panthers Training With Unironed Shirt And Red Wine Breath In An Effort To 'Show A Bit Of Class' Like Kenty". The Betoota Advocate. - please note this is a satirical article
  12. ^ Stevens, Kylie (4 October 2022). "Panthers stars pile on 'disgusted' NRL commentator after he slammed the team for the 'cocky' way players celebrated their second grand final in two years". Daily Mail.
  13. ^ Napier-Raman, Kishor; Towell, Noel (23 February 2023). "Scott Morrison's magical thinking continues". Sydney Morning Herald.
  14. ^ Dalton, Angus (13 May 2023). "Fox Sports presenter Paul Kent arrested, charged with assault". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  15. ^ Gibbs, Stephen (17 May 2023). "Paul Kent pleads not guilty to domestic violence offences as both the high-profile Fox Sports pundit and his ex-girlfriend are hit with restraining orders after break-up row". Daily Mail.
  16. ^ Ferri, Lauren (17 May 2023). "Sports journalist Paul Kent pleads not guilty to domestic violence charges". News.com.au. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  17. ^ Connery, Tess (16 May 2023). "Foxtel reportedly pulls NRL 360 back catalogue after Paul Kent arrest". Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  18. ^ "Paul Kent charged with domestic violence, pulled from Fox Sports' NRL 360 program". ABC News. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  19. ^ "'He needs to be counselled': Ray Hadley blasts Paul Kent". 2GB Sydney. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  20. ^ Kent, Paul (13 August 2016). "Violence against women foundation Full Stop receives vital support in City2Surf". Fox Sports. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  21. ^ "Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia Annual Report 2017-18" (PDF). p. 10. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  22. ^ Full Stop Australia [@FullStopAus] (15 May 2023). "We acknowledge that Paul Kent has recently been arrested and charged for allegedly assaulting a woman known to him" (Tweet). Retrieved 6 January 2024 – via Twitter.
  23. ^ "Sports journalist Paul Kent charged with third domestic violence offence". SMH. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  24. ^ "Graveyard shift: Kent works at funeral home while waiting for court return". Sydney Morning Herald. 3 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  25. ^ "Sports journalist Paul Kent not guilty of domestic violence allegations". www.news.com.au.
  26. ^ "NRL journalist Paul Kent stood down after brawl outside Sydney restaurant". Nine News. 28 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  27. ^ Weidler, Danny (4 May 2024). "Why Paul Kent may have done Fox Sports a favour". Sydney Morning Herald.
  28. ^ https://www.9news.com.au/national/new-south-wales-news-fox-sports-journalist-stood-down-after-tottis-brawl/0039d63d-4e4b-49bb-a09b-9fe01adbc6ab
  29. ^ "'You're trying to tell us that's OK?' Hosts in heated debate on 'embarrassing' scuffle ban". Fox Sports. 22 April 2024.
  30. ^ Weidler, Danny (19 May 2024). "Court case shines light on Paul Kent's demons". Sydney Morning Herald.
  31. ^ Knox, David (2 July 2024). "Paul Kent departs FOX Sports". TV Tonight.
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