Sam Kerr risks a “pretty dramatic drop” in lucrative brand deals following news of his alleged racial harassment of a police officer, a sports marketing expert has predicted.
Kerr, Australia’s highest-paid athlete and one of the world’s most marketable female stars, was accused of racial abuse against a police officer in London, and a court set a trial date for February 2025.
He has pleaded not guilty and will face a four-day trial next year.
And according to Dr Tom Heenan, Professor of Sport and Australian Studies at the Monash Intercultural Laboratory, Faculty of Arts, Kerr, who reportedly earned $3.3 million last year, could miss out on further seismic payments.
“This will have marketing consequences, their reputation has been damaged, especially because the Matildas have been put on such a high pedestal, the fall is going to be quite dramatic,” he said. news corporation.
Sam Kerr risks ‘pretty dramatic drop’ in brand deals, expert says
The Matildas and Chelsea star has landed deals with games such as EA Sports’ FIFA23.
“The other aspect of this is that Kerr is out of the game (she is recovering from knee surgery that will keep her out for several months) and there has been a rise in the profile of the other players.
‘The Women’s World Cup did a lot to emphasize that this was about a team, not just Sam Kerr.
“I think the team’s reputation will remain intact, but Kerr’s reputation will be affected.”
Kerr has a $1.5 million contract with English club Chelsea and is expected to sign a new deal shortly. He also has a $1 million contract with Nike and appeared on the cover of the FIFA23 video game with Kylian Mbappé.
He also landed sponsorship deals from Commonwealth Bank and LEGO.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted both companies, as well as Nike, for comment.
Dr. Heenan added that a multitude of factors, in addition to the court process, could work against Kerr.
‘You have the double whammy; allegation of racism and that it was supposedly against a police officer,” Dr. Heenan said.
‘The Olympic campaign (Paris 2024) without Kerr will affect the team’s reputation, especially if they advance in the tournament, so Kerr’s story will be eliminated.
“Without Kerr playing, the damage done to his reputation by this will remain.”
But one expert says her ongoing court case could see her lose lucrative business.
Kerr has worked with LEGO (above) and Commonwealth Bank, as well as Nike.
The 30-year-old woman, who was wearing a white T-shirt under a black suit jacket when she appeared at Kingston Crown Court via video link, spoke only to confirm her identity and plead not guilty to the charge.
She was told she was required to attend a four-day trial, scheduled for next February, during which two police officers were expected to testify.
Harassment convictions in the UK can include a sentence of up to two years in prison when the crime is racially or religiously aggravated.
The Matildas and Chelsea striker is accused of using insulting, threatening or abusive words which caused PC Lovell alarm or distress during an incident at Twickenham on January 30 last year.
While all details relating to the alleged crime are still unclear, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson revealed what sparked the incident in question.
“The charge relates to an incident involving a police officer responding to a complaint relating to a taxi fare on January 30, 2023 in Twickenham,” he said.
“On January 21 she was charged with a racially aggravated offense under section 4A (of the) Public Order Act 1986.”