Concerns Mount Over Sam Kerr's Brand Deals Amid Racial Harassment Allegations

Sam Kerr is at risk of a 'pretty dramatic fall' in lucrative brand deals following news of her alleged racial harassment of a police officer, a sports marketing expert has predicted.

Kerr, the highest paid women's athlete in Australia and one of the most marketable female stars in the world, was charged with racially abusing a police officer in London, with a court scheduling a trial date for February 2025.

She entered a not guilty plea and will be the subject of a four-day trial next year.

And according to Dr Tom Heenan, a lecturer in Sport and Australian Studies in the Monash Intercultural Lab, Faculty of Arts, Kerr - who reportedly earned $3.3million last year - could lose out on further seismic paydays.

'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,' he told News Corp.

'The other aspect of this is that Kerr is out of the game (she is 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 has a $1.5million contract with English club Chelsea, and is expected to sign a new deal shortly. She also has a $1m deal with Nike and was on the cover of video game FIFA23 with Kylian Mbappe.

She has also won endorsement deals from Commonwealth Bank and LEGO.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted both companies, plus Nike, for comment.

Dr Heenan added that a multitude of factors, besides the court case, could go against Kerr.

'You've