- Sam Kerr has put her jet-setting lifestyle at risk
- Superstar has damaged her reputation and brand
- Marketing expert predicts her fall to be ‘dramatic’
Matildas superstar Sam Kerr funded her high-flying lifestyle by reportedly earning more than $3million last year, but that all could change quickly now that she’s been charged with allegedly racially harassing a police officer.
On Tuesday morning, Daily Mail exclusively revealed that the Matildas captain will face a criminal trial in February next year over the alleged incident.
The Chelsea striker appeared in court accused of using insulting, threatening or abusive words that caused alarm or distress to the officer in Twickenham, southwest London, on January 30 last year.
She entered a not guilty plea and her defence team will try to get the charge dismissed on April 26 – and if that is unsuccessful, she will be the subject of a four-day criminal trial next year.
Kerr is Australia’s highest-paid female soccer player, reportedly pocketing $3.3million last year.
That eyewatering figure takes into account her $600,000 salary from her club Chelsea, with the rest reportedly coming from sponsorship deals with Nike, Mastercard and EA Sports, The Australian Financial Review reported.
Kerr’s 13-year deal with Nike is estimated to be around $1million.
However, a sports marketing expert has predicted Kerr could soon have a ‘pretty dramatic fall’ following recent news.
‘There will be a marketing spin-off from this, her reputation has been damaged, particularly because the Matildas have been put on such a high pedestal, the fall is going to be pretty dramatic,’ Dr Tom Heenan told News Corp.
‘The other aspect of this is that Kerr is out of the game [while recovering from knee surgery that will sideline her for several months] and there has been a rise in the profile of the other players.
‘The Women’s World Cup did a great deal to emphasise that this was a team, not just Sam Kerr.
‘I think the reputation of the team will stay intact, but Kerr’s reputation will suffer.’
Kerr also has also won endorsement deals from Commonwealth Bank and LEGO.
Dr Heenan added that a multitude of factors, besides the court case, could go against Kerr.
‘You’ve got the double whammy; the allegation of racism, and that it was allegedly against a police officer,’ Dr Heenan said.
‘The Olympic campaign [Paris 2024] without Kerr will carry the reputation of the team, particularly if they go deep into the tournament, and so the Kerr story will be taken out.
‘Without Kerr playing, the damage done to her reputation because of this, will stick.’
A leading Australian sports agent has also told Daily Mail Australia that he believes Kerr is in deep trouble with Football Australia over not informing them of the legal scandal.
‘It is standard protocol for athletes to [immediately] pass on information of this nature,’ he told Daily Mail Australia on the condition of anonymity.
‘Failing to do so could well be a breach of her contract … of course, there are two sides to every story, but the [racism] charge is a serious one.’
The agent in question – who manages several household names – said if Kerr was his client, he would have immediately informed Football Australia of the alleged incident, who then can determine the next course of action.
Kerr has made sure to take time out of her busy schedule to enjoy her success, enjoying trips overseas with friends and her partner.
In May last year she and her fiancee, fellow soccer star Kristie Mewis, visited New York together.
In the same month she travelled to Spain for the F1 Grand Prix, where she got to hang out with the McLaren team as she enjoyed a level of access most fans would give their eye teeth for.
The 30-year-old also enjoyed a holiday to Bali in 2019 and shared some snaps of her on an ATV with a friend.
Just weeks ago, Kerr spent a birthday weekend away with her partner in Paris.
She and her fiancee also enjoy lavish shopping trips, sharing snaps in Louis Vuitton and wearing high-end labels such as Heron Preston and Palm Angels.
Kerr last year also snapped up an oceanfront vacant block of land for $940,000 in the Perth beachside suburb of North Coogee.
She grew up in the area, and the 200sqm block is located close to where her parents, Roxanne and Roger Kerr reside.
The block comes with approved plans for a three-storey townhouse and sits just behind the shore overlooking the ocean.
