The tug of war between Channel Nine and Channel Seven over star AFL reporter Tom Morris’ signature has turned sour after his defection reportedly hit a legal snag.

Reports say Morris informed Channel Nine last week that he’d be moving to the rival Seven Network.

But now it’s understood bosses at Nine Entertainment are looking at the prospect of activating a non-compete clause found in Morris’ current contract.                                                                                                                                                                                  It’s all part of an effort to block his move to Seven for up to the next six months, according to News Corp.

It won’t be the first time Nine has tried to throw a spanner into the works as a star departed for Seven.

A precedent has been set with the network not allowing former Footy Classified star Caroline Wilson, who quit the program to join Seven’s The Agenda Setters, to be part of the advertising for the new show before it debuted.

The battle for Tom Morris’s signature has caused even more tension between two of Australia’s major TV networks

Respected footy reporter Caroline Wilson (pictured) also defected from Nine to Seven

Morris (pictured alongside AFL champion Tony Lockett) could be tripped up by a contract clause as he tries to switch to Nine’s biggest rival

Morris moving to Seven would continue a run of defections from Nine’s footy coverage team.

Kane Cornes defected to Seven in a bombshell move that went public in late 2024, joining Wilson.

Morris’s latest switch was reportedly driven by his desire to work on cricket – which Seven holds the rights to – as well as AFL gameday broadcasts.

The news comes more than three years after his contract with previous employer Fox Sports was terminated in scandalous circumstances in March 2022.

Morris’s reputation took a major hit after offensive comments he made on audio and video in WhatsApp chats were made public.

He was sacked after audio of him making offensive comments about then colleague Megan Barnard was leaked to social media, in addition to remarks he made about Asians, black people, women and gay people.

Morris recovered from that and was hired by Nine in November 2023.

The experienced reporter even picked up a prestigious award for his work on SEN Radio at the Australian Football Media Association Awards that same year.

Despite being sacked from Fox Sports in 2022, Morris (pictured with fellow SEN star Gerard Whateley) claimed a respected award less than two years later

Kane Cornes (pictured) also joined the Seven Network earlier this year, and was met with resistance from a large percentage of AFL fans

Morris is pictured during his time with Fox Sports, which came to a scandalous end in 2022

Morris, 34, is currently on leave from work.

He is contracted to Nine until December 31.

If the move to Seven is completed without any further issues, it’ll be sure to fuel the rivalry between the broadcasters, which saw stars from both sides take pot shots at each other throughout the 2025 season.

Both Nine and Seven have been contacted for comment.