Darren Kane
Darren Kane is a sports columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald.
- Opinion
- Horse racing
The Supreme Court has reminded Racing NSW where its authority begins and ends
A judgment on Wednesday found Racing NSW was acting outside its powers when it appointed an administrator to run the Australian Turf Club, citing governance concerns.
- Darren Kane
Latest
- Opinion
- NRL 2026
In today’s AI world, a photo doesn’t prove anything. But it can still wreck a career
It’s never been easier to manipulate images and weaponise them against professional athletes. Sports administrators must proceed with extreme caution.
- Darren Kane
- Opinion
- Milano Cortina 2026
Acid test: Why ski jumpers’ penis injections don’t constitute doping
If ski jumpers really are injecting hyaluronic acid into their crotches to gain an advantage, it appears they aren’t doing anything illegal.
- Darren Kane
- Opinion
- NRL 2026
Zac Lomax and Parramatta are heading to the Supreme Court. Here’s what could happen
Sure, the NSW winger signed off on the terms of his release. But is it reasonable for the Eels to maintain a stranglehold over his career until 2029?
- Darren Kane
- Opinion
- NRL 2026
NRL’s new kick-off plan could backfire like basketball’s infamous slam dunk ban
Changing rules of a sport to prevent one team dominating can backfire dramatically. Just look at college basketball’s 10-year ban of the slam dunk.
- Darren Kane
- Opinion
- The Ashes
Test cricket doesn’t need five-day pitches to survive
The game wasn’t conceived to satisfy broadcast schedules or justify hotel bookings. It was invented to ask a single question: can you survive this?
- Darren Kane
- Opinion
- NRL 2026
Who will guard the guards? Why Australia needs to consider a sports regulator
A national sports regulator couldn’t fix every problem. Egos, ambition and conflict can’t be avoided. But it would resolve many issues and protect the long-term interests of fans.
- Darren Kane
Why would anybody want to be an independent director at the Tigers?
Charlie Viola, Michelle McDowell and Annabelle Williams all read well on paper. And former premier Barry O’Farrell used to attend the same gym I once did.
- Darren Kane
- Opinion
- Olympics
Gender is a spectrum; sport is binary. Why an IOC decision is anything but straightforward
An International Olympic Committee blanket ban on transgender women will face serious legal obstacles, and they will be required to prove why a complete ban is the only available solution.
- Darren Kane
- Opinion
- Concussion crisis
Where sports have a duty of care, it must override the desire for personal autonomy
There aren’t many sports that don’t carry an element of danger. Recent examples highlight the need for safety precautions to be mandated rather than recommended.
- Darren Kane