The prominent NRL reporter was sacked by Fox Sports and subsequently stood himself down from his role with Triple M after being charged with high-range drinking offences after an incident in the Sydney suburb of Leichhardt. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Hooper is alleged to have collided with three parked cars and returned a positive breath test of 0.253, more than five times the legal limit, last Thursday night. He has been charged with high-range drink-driving and three counts of damaged property and will appear in court on September 15. On Friday morning, 2GB’s Ben Fordham detailed further allegations of what happened in the aftermath of the incident. “We’ve got fresh details about the now former rugby league reporter James Hooper and the trouble that he has found himself in,” Fordham said. “We can now reveal what he said after returning a positive breath test and being placed under arrest. “Police say that he told them ‘I’m blind’. “According to a New South Wales police statement, James Hooper then proceeded to tell officers ‘you got me, you got me. I’m blind’.” The Daily Telegraph has confirmed Hooper’s alleged comment, while news.com.au has contacted NSW Police about the matter. A statement from NSW Police, issued last Friday, read: “At 7.30pm on Thursday, police were called to Allen Street, Leichhardt following reports of a crash. “Officers attached to Leichhardt Highway Patrol attended to find a utility had collided with three parked cars before coming to a stop.” Paul Green, who lives right by the accident site, spoke about what unfolded in the street and told Channel 9 what he had witnessed. “He just tried to get out of there straight away,” Green alleged. “Put the car in reverse to try to reverse off the car he was collected on and he couldn’t get off. “So he was not really coherent. He headed up the street, unfortunately for him he headed up the wrong way. “We lost sight of him in the dark but then he turned around and that’s when the police caught up to him at the roundabout down the bottom of the hill.” Hooper was the chief rugby league reporter for Fox Sports, along with roles as a columnist for Fox Sports and a sideline reporter with Triple M. Southern Cross Austereo (SCA), which owns and operates Triple M, confirmed to news.com.au Hooper has opted to cut ties with the network. “Triple M acknowledges the decision of James Hooper to stand down from his commitments with the network,” SCA Head of Sports Content Ewan Giles said. “We thank him for his contribution.” The decision from Fox Sports was effective immediately. Fox Sports’ managing director Steve Crawley confirmed the news in a statement. “James has been a great contributor since he joined us in 2016, but he’s also battled some significant personal issues from time to time,” Crawley said. “In speaking to him today, James also acknowledges that things need to change for him.” Hooper was approached by The Daily Telegraph for comment, stating: “I’ve let the game of rugby league, my employers, my wife and kids down terribly. “Clearly I’m not handling the tough side of the job. “Hopefully this is the punch between the eyes that will set me straight.” Hooper also confirmed he would continue seeking professional treatment.