Thu, August 20, 2026
Former ADE player sues AFL and Fox Sports after he was indecently exposed on live television
Former Adelaide Crows player, Ricky John Henderson, who retired in 2020, is suing the Australian Football League (AFL) and Fox Sports for over $1.2 million after he was indecently exposed on live television on April 6, 2013, which revealed “compromising footage” of the former professional. The lawsuit was filed in South Australia’s District Court.
As reported by ABC Sport, Henderson was allegedly recorded in the changing rooms of the ‘The Gabba,’ the popular nickname for the major sports stadium in Brisbane, as he “stepped away from the player group to adjust his shorts and undergarment, which involved pulling down his shorts and athletic support garment and exposing his genitals.” Henderson claims that the “unauthorised use of the footage by way of the broadcast” caused “extreme embarrassment and hurt” as well as “a diagnosable mental illness.” The statement of claim also states that the footage “invaded the privacy and violated the human dignity” of the former player.
It also alleges that Henderson developed an “acute stress disorder, which developed into a chronic post-traumatic stress disorder” following the incident and that he became hypervigilant and experienced relationship difficulties. It is alleged that “injuries and resulting disabilities” had led to “periods of total and partial incapacity” for employment and “economic loss and a loss of earning capacity.”
In defence, Fox Sports claims the “footage was [actually] captured in the ‘kicking room’ [as opposed to a private changing room] which is a public warm-up area attended by players, coaches, trainers, medical staff and members of the public, including media,” and “denies that the applicant [Mr Henderson] is entitled to the relief claimed or any relief at all.” The defence claims that cameras had been present in the “public warm up area of all AFL grounds” for several years and that Henderson, who had played in numerous games by the time of the incident, should have been aware of this.
Additionally, Fox Sports claims it did not broadcast the footage itself but rather “selected in real-time which camera angles, replays or other vision would be included in the feed delivered to Foxtel for live broadcast.”
The AFL also claims that “the applicant knew or ought to have known that live footage was streamed from the fixed camera and/or other cameras located in the kicking room.” The defence has acknowledged that the footage received significant media attention at the time but denies that Henderson was as severely impacted as he claims.
The matter will return to court later this month.
