The Channel Seven Sunrise panel was left stunned after host David Koch appeared to make a "joke" about slavery during a segment on Jamaican-born athlete Usain Bolt.
The on-air gaffe occurred as sports reporter Mark Beretta was reading a story - alongside co-host Sam Armytage, Natalie Barr and Koch - following reports Olympic legend Bolt could leave the Central Coast Mariners Football Club.
“So the Mariners sell him for money, they make a lot of money out of it?” Koch asked.
“It’s a win-win: You keep him, great. You sell him, so be it. That’s the tough world of professional football,” Beretta said.
“Who said slavery was over — anyway. No,” Koch said, before quickly changing the topic.
The camera quickly cut away as Natalie Barr looked on in distaste.
The Mariners can't actually sell Bolt to another club because the sprint legend hasn't signed a contract with the football club.
"Kochie" later doubled down on the gaffe via Twitter saying it was an error.
But social media users were quick to jump on the "joke".
Koch took to Twitter to clarify his comment and said it was a reference he used for sportsmen and women who "want to trade clubs or change jobs in sport" that clubs can't keep them.
SBS News has reached out to Sunrise for comment.
