An Aussie entertainment commentator has weighed in on the AFL’s controversial decision to have US rapper Snoop Dogg headline the upcoming Grand Final.
The star’s selection to perform at the AFL’s showpiece event has divided Aussies, with some saying the league is abandoning its platform of respecting women by hiring Snoop who has in the past stirred up controversy with the lyrics of his songs.
Speaking about the Gin and Juice hitmaker’s upcoming MCG appearance, entertainment reporter Peter Ford put forward his theory as to why the rap icon was chosen for the high-profile gig.
Appearing on 3AW Breakfast With Ross and Russell on Monday, Peter said that the decision to include Snoop in the festivities was not directly related to the event itself.
He claimed it was an effort to drum up attention for an upcoming AFL docuseries that is set to be released in 2026 on Amazon Prime.
‘I’m told it is directly related to this TV series which is being made by Amazon Prime all about the premiership season,’ Peter claimed.
An entertainment expert has weighed in on the AFL’s controversial decision to have US rapper Snoop Dogg headline the upcoming Grand Final
‘By having Snoop Dogg there, it will get international attention for the doco series.
‘That’s why they were willing to bite the bullet and cop all the backlash.’Â
He also claimed Snoop an ‘unusual’ choice that flies in the face of past performers who are known for crowd-pleasing bangers.
‘I thought he was an unusual choice,’ he said.
‘I prefer acts who have got anthemic songs that the whole crowd can join in and get revved up by.’
He added the decision to employ Snoop came with ‘baggage’ which the AFL is happy to carry to ensure the success of the documentary.
‘Of course there’s baggage attached to employing Snoop Dogg at the very least, and giving him that gig is mixed messaging from the AFL.’
Promising to deliver AFL to the world, the as-yet-untitled docuseries will follow the goings-on during the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership season.
Appearing on 3AW Breakfast With Ross and Russell on Monday, veteran entertainment reporter Peter Ford said that the decision to include Snoop in the Grand Final festivities was not directly related to the event itself
‘I’m told it is directly related to this TV series which is being made by Amazon Prime all about the premiership season,’ Peter claimed
Produced by the team behind the successful Netflix series, F1 Drive To Survive, and Tour de France: Unchained, the doco will hit the streamer sometime in 2026.
Daily Mail has reached out to the AFL for comment.
Peter’s comments come after AFL great-turned-broadcaster Brendan Fevola claimed Snoop would be dumped due to controversy around his songs and comments on women and gay people. Â
‘On Snoop Dogg, I might have some goss about that,’ Fevola told 101.9 The Fox’s Fifi, Fev & Nick on Monday.
‘They’re going to axe him.’
‘Because of his lyrics in his song and he talked about gay parents over the weekend.
‘I think he will get the a**e, and they are going to go for an Aussie artist to play at the MCG.
‘That will happen, take that to the bank. He will get the [a**e], which he should.’
‘By having Snoop Dogg there, it will get international attention for the doco series. ‘That’s why they were willing to bite the bullet and cop all the backlash’
Given Snoop’s huge profile, the move would be sure to make headlines outside Australia.
Last week, AFL CEO Andrew Dillon defended the decision to pay Snoop a rumoured $2 million to perform at the grand final.
‘We cannot vouch for every lyric in every song ever written or performed by any artist who has or will appear on our stage, Australian or international,’ he said.
‘It’s also important to remember that we have engaged Snoop Dogg in 2025 as the person he is today.
