Phil Rothfield

Phil Rothfield
Born
Phillip Rothfield

(1958-07-18) 18 July 1958 (age 68)
Other nameBuzz Rothfield
Occupation
  • Sports journalist

Phillip Rothfield (born 18 July 1958), also nicknamed "Buzz", is a retired Australian sports journalist who specialised in covering rugby league writing for The Daily Telegraph in Sydney as an editor at large and appearing on NRL 360.

Career

Rothfield mostly worked for News Corp Australia. Rothfield has been covering rugby league in Sydney since 1978 and has covered sport in other countries including England, the US, Russia, and Brazil. He retired in January 2026.

Controversies

Rothfield was involved in a scandal where it was alleged he accepted cash payments into his TAB account from a gambler and former brothel owner Eddie Hayson. Rothfield later said this was a mistake which he learned from.

In another scandal, he was photographed with a lingerie model despite frequently criticizing rugby league players for behaviour in their private life.

Rothfield has a long running feud with Phil Gould. He has also had feuds with Michael Maguire, Peter Sterling and Warren Ryan. In 2017, he said “any journo doing their job has feuds".

References

  1. ↑ Rothfield, Phil (12 April 2025). "Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Johnathan Thurston learns about the tough life of NRL media". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  2. ↑ "Our Journalists Phil Rothfield". The Daily Telegraph.
  3. 1 2 Rothfield, Phil (20 February 2016). "Phil Rothfield: Still Buzz-ing after 40 years". The Daily Telegraph.
  4. 1 2 3 Joshi, Kruti (25 May 2017). "What's The Buzz? Getting to know controversial NRL columnist Buzz Rothfield". Mediaweek.
  5. ↑ Greatest job in the world: Buzz retires as journalism great after storied 50-year career Fox Sports Australia 29 January 2026
  6. ↑ McClymont, Kate; McKenzie, Nick (1 August 2016). "Row over journalist Phil Rothfield's relationship with punter Eddie Hayson heats up". Sydney Morning Herald.
  7. ↑ "The Tele's Chief NRL Writer Accused Of "Hypocrisy" After Racy Lingerie Photo Emerges". Bandt. 13 September 2018.
  8. ↑ "Veteran journo Phil Rothfield hits back after Phil Gould's fiery outburst". News.com.au. 11 July 2023.
  9. ↑ "Phil 'Buzz' Rothfield: 'I will never apologise and will never ring Michael Maguire again'".