Peever's comments come in the wake of the Australian ball tampering scandal, where Channel 10 submitted a bid to co-broadcast Australian cricket for five years alongside Channel 9. 

The bid was reportedly a multi-million dollar offer, yet Peever and associates believed the bid to be uncompetitive and designed to push down the price of subsequent offers.

In an email revealed by Fairfax Media, Peever is quoted as writing to CBS - Channel 10's parent company - President Armando Nunez, “unfortunately your team has completely messed this up.

“I expected much more given our discussions and the unique position we were affording 10. Franky (sic), the tactics are appalling on a number of levels.”

"I feel they are not prepared to challenge their operating model to be anything other than bottom feeders in this market."

Peever has since apologised to Nunez for the email. Cricket Australia are hoping to achieve over $800 million - $300 million more than the current deal - for the broadcast rights negotiations.