The AFL wants to stop broadcasters from only using white men to cover the footy - here's proof the league's boss can't explain how the move will work

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AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has repeatedly been tripped up as he tried to justify why the league wants to stop broadcasters from using only 'middle-aged white men' for their footy coverage from 2025 onwards.

On Thursday, Melbourne 3AW radio identity Tom Elliott grilled Dillon about the AFL reportedly inserting a 'social inclusion' clause into its deal with broadcasters Channel Seven and Foxtel ahead of next season.

It is understood the aim of the clause is to ensure groups such as women and Indigenous Australians have a bigger voice in the code.

A bemused Elliott asked Dillon if the sport is merely trying to tick boxes when it comes to diversity.

'[With this clause] Do you mean fewer middle-aged white men like Brian Taylor and James Brayshaw and more ... Indigenous commentators or female commentators, more gay commentators? What do you actually want?'

A flustered Dillon said the move would not mean 'less of anything' on commentary teams - forcing Elliott to counter that the move 'has to' lead to changes behind the microphone and in front of the camera. 

He then added that a number of middle-aged commentators at 3AW are 'very nervous' about their futures as a result of the league's move. 

'If we have to have some more diverse commentators, we'll have to get rid of half of them, we can't afford to just keep employing more people,' Elliott argued. 

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has battled to justify why the league will likely ban broadcasters who mainly employ 'middle aged white men' for their rolling footy coverage from 2025 onwards (pictured, Channel Seven's footy commentary team)

Dillon (pictured) struggled to explain the AFL's drive to make broadcasters go with more diverse commentary teams from next season

3AW host Tom Elliott asked AFL boss Andrew Dillon if the sport is merely trying to tick boxes when it comes to diversity

Dillon pointed to the rise of Tony Armstrong - who cut his teeth with AFL media before moving into free-to-air television where he was nominated for a Gold Logie - as an example of how diversity can be a positive move.

Elliott was having none of it and responded: 'Don't you just pick the best commentator?

'Especially on radio, no one cares what they [presenters] look like or what their background is, they just want to know that they are the most interesting or well informed football people around.'

Dillon said he believes increasing diversity will lead to better commentary teams and that a call on who is employed is ultimately up to 3AW.

Elliott then pressed him to clearly explain what the move will mean for broadcasters. 

'Are you saying you must have at least one female commentator or one Indigenous [commentator]?' he asked.

Dillon said 'no' before adding: 'It's something that's in the contract.

'To be honest, as you would know, when you've got great partnerships like we do have with Foxtel and Seven, the contracts aren't even really looked at.'

Earlier this month, Channel Nine reporter Tom Morris revealed the AFL's proposed social inclusion clause on Melbourne radio station SEN during a breakfast segment with retired footy great Garry Lyon.

'There is a requirement or commitment from the AFL that has been ticked and signed as part of this agreement to have diverse voices, to have representation from minorities and different areas to what there has been in the past,' he explained on SEN.

'This has been written into a broadcast rights agreement, meaning you can’t just have white men sitting behind a desk for every single broadcast that you do.'

'You need to diversify, that is across Seven and Fox.'

Some X users welcomed the AFL's move to ensure more social inclusion from the game's broadcasters

The development sparked a mixed reaction when it was shared to X.

'This is f***ed,' one blunt comment read.

Another footy fan added: 'The person best for the role should get it anyway regardless of background, gender, religion etc etc. NOT someone who just meets the ‘quotas’'.

'If that means and end to the boys' club commentary during broadcasts -Bring It On,' another X user wrote.

'Tired of the snide/ smug commentary of Brayshaw, Taylor and mates.'