Football journalist Sam McClure has resigned from his print role atย The Ageย after all staff were told not to read ads or sponsorships on live radio.

After controversially appearing in a Sportbet ad, along with other big-name journalists, earlier in the year - despite reporting on the encroaching use of betting ads in the AFL -ย The Ageย brought in a policy that prevented staff from reading live ads on radio.

However, with a new role as the single host of 3AW's new 6pm sports radio show Wide World of Sports, McClure's position would be impeded should he not be able to read ads and sponsorships on the show.

Footy Classified colleagueย Craig Hutchison, who produces the 3AW's current sports show with McClure and Gerard Healy, confirmed the 31-year-old's resignation from The Age onย The Sounding Boardย podcast on Tuesday.

"The now infamous Sportsbet ad has had an unfortunate knock-on effect on the career of Sam McClure," Hutchison said.

"Sam McClure last Monday resigned from The Age newspaper after an award-winning career after a new edict from The Age newspaper that their identities can no longer read sponsors credits, ads, or live reads on commercial radio.

"Even though the business, Nine, owns a radio network as well as a newspaper.

"Sam has hosted Sportsday for us and you would have seen the announcement he is going to host Wide World of Sports. My understanding is that the decision was only going to be approved by The Age if he did not read anything to do with a client of the program. Sam said it is impractical."

It is believed that McClure will continue to appear on Nine'sย Footy Classified,ย Nine owningย The Age, 3AW and the free-to-air TV station.

Healy will departย 3AWย at the end of this year in favour of a role alongside Kane Cornes atย SEN.ย