Nathan Cleary is the latest victim of a dodgy ad. It's about to become a police matter
Cleary, one of Australian sport's biggest names, is constantly in demand from premium brands keen to associate with him. The NSW halfback is selective about which firms he is prepared to partner with to protect his image and focus on football.
However, it hasn't stopped several companies from illegally attempting to cash in on his celebrity.
Perhaps the most brazen attempt occurred just hours after Wednesday night's State of Origin decider, won 24-12 by Queensland at Accor Stadium. In the adjoining P1 carpark at Homebush, hundreds of punters returned to their cars to find a pamphlet placed on their windshield.
It depicted a digitally altered image of Cleary, with his arm draped around a woman – not his current partner, Mary Fowler – apparently spruiking a company selling rugby league-themed car bonnet covers.
'Way to go Blues! I knew this one had rizz! I'm taking this one home!' the flyer says suggestively in bold letters, before adding 'This flyer was printed a week ago.'
At no stage did the firm seek permission from Cleary or his management's permission to use his likeness, nor has there been any attempt to compensate him.
The image shows Cleary wearing a Blues jersey which appears to have been doctored, given the sponsors depicted aren't those aligned with the team. The lawyer acting for Cleary, Daniel McGirr, said the incident would become a police matter.
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