It was a big day at Seven West Media, the kind of shake-up that ripples well beyond the newsroom walls.
While the network issued its official announcement about Anthony De Ceglie’s departure from 7NEWS, the story didn’t stop there.
Across the country, media outlets quickly dug deeper, offering their own takes, fresh insights, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into what really went down.
From industry insiders to sharp commentary, the nation’s press put the spotlight not just on the news, but on the narrative behind it all.
Here’s a roundup of how the media covered the exit of one of Seven’s most high-profile and controversial figures, and what it might mean for the broadcaster moving forward.
news.com.au
Anthony De Ceglie’s swift exit sparks chatter across media circles
As Annette Sharpe writes, after just 13 months in the hot seat, De Ceglie’s departure caught many at Seven off guard, staff were still processing the news while De Ceglie was already updating his LinkedIn with his next gig.
And it’s a curveball: he’s been named the inaugural CEO of the Perth Bears rugby league team, a direct nod to a rival sport aligned with Seven’s competitor, Nine. Talk about switching allegiances.
Anthony De Ceglie exits Seven to lead NRL’s Perth Bears
As Alexandra Feiam and Emma Kirk report, once seen as Kerry Stokes’ trusted lieutenant, De Ceglie will now head up the NRL’s new Perth Bears franchise.
The 39-year-old brings a solid media pedigree, having joined Seven West Media in 2019 after nearly three years as deputy editor at The Daily Telegraph.
The Australian
NRL’s poach of 7NEWS boss sparks tension at the top
Reports suggest Kerry Stokes, Seven’s billionaire chairman who personally backed De Ceglie’s rise, is far from pleased by the defection.
As Steve Jackson writes, De Ceglie will step down from Seven at the end of the month and head back to Perth, just over a year after taking the helm at Seven News.
Sky News Australia
Anthony De Ceglie exits seven to lead NRL’s Perth Bears expansion
As James Harrison reports, after roughly a year steering Seven’s news division, De Ceglie is heading back home to WA to help grow the league out west.
Replacing him at Seven is Ray Kuka, the Perth bureau boss who’s been a steady hand through some turbulent times at the network.
The Australian Financial Review
Peter V’landys’ surprise move shakes up media and sport
The NRL’s Peter V’landys pulling Seven’s news chief Anthony De Ceglie into the fold as the inaugural CEO of the Perth Bears has stirred quite the buzz, and according to Mark Di Stefano, it’s been quietly building for weeks.
The backstory? A chance encounter at a Sydney wedding, where the sport and media worlds collided in style.
It all took place at George Moskos’s decked-out wedding at Woolwich, where V’landys and De Ceglie had a chat about the Bears’ move west.
The Sydney Morning Herald
7NEWS boss to lead NRL’s Perth Bears despite media tensions
According to Calum Jaspan and Adrian Proszenko, De Ceglie’s leap from one of the most high-profile editorial gigs at 7NEWS to the sports front signals a major shake-up.
De Ceglie’s departure from Seven West Media comes just over a year into his tenure as director of news and current affairs, as he takes on the challenge of launching the NRL’s 18th team.
Kerry Stokes’ pick Anthony De Ceglie swaps news for nrl as Seven’s ratings slide
‘Kerry Stokes doesn’t do things by halves, so when he tapped Anthony De Ceglie to lead Seven’s news division just over a year ago, it was a big deal.’
In this op-ed, Elizabeth Knight compares De Ceglie’s sudden pivot from newsroom chief to the NRL’s Perth Bears CEO to a royal reshuffle.
Knight writes that “De Ceglie’s time running Seven News wasn’t exactly smooth sailing.”
“His attempts to shake things up with a comedy segment and a nightly horoscope left many scratching their heads. Both ideas were quickly canned, but they certainly made their mark on the bulletin’s style, for better or worse.”
NRL.com.au
The Australian Rugby League Commission has officially named Anthony De Ceglie as the first CEO of the Perth Bears, the NRL’s newest expansion team set to kick off in 2027.
De Ceglie steps into the role fresh from his stint as director of news and current affairs at Seven West Media, bringing a solid mix of leadership chops and a reputation for shaking things up.
De Ceglie’s deep roots in Western Australia, including his time as editor-in-chief of The West Australian, have earned him high praise from ARLC chairman Peter V’landys.
7NEWS
New boss for 7NEWS as Ray Kuka takes top job
The network’s news website covered the news of De Ceglie’s appointment via a surprising channel – AAP’s wire story – but then added commentary in its own InsideMedia segment with Rob McKnight.
McKnight revealed that family “played a big part” in Anthony De Ceglie’s decision to head back to his hometown of Perth.
The appointment of Ray Kuka as the new news boss was also touched upon, with McKnight offering his own take on the decision.