Fallen AFL star Lachie Neale stands to lose more than his marriage, with his $1.5million brand in jeopardy following his high-profile bust up with wife Jules.
The AFL power couple confirmed their marriage had ended after a personal scandal that became public over the summer.
The breakup followed allegations Neale had an affair with Tess Crosley, who was a close friend of Jules and part of the couple’s inner circle.
Lachie Neale publicly announced the separation during a Brisbane Lions media appearance when he stepped down from his leadership role.
He told media that he and Jules had separated and apologised for letting his family down, without addressing specific allegations.
In the days beforehand, Jules effectively confirmed the split herself by posting on social media stating she had been betrayed and making it clear the relationship was not being worked through.
Lachie Neale and his wife Jules have separated after he was allegedly found in a compromising position with their friend Tess Crosley
Jules has now moved back to Perth with the couple’s two children and has said they will not be working through their marital problems
Neale remains in Brisbane where he fronted media to announce the couple had broken up
Her post removed any doubt about reconciliation and signalled the marriage was over before Neale’s formal public statement.
Jules is now back in Perth with the couple’s two children while Lachie has moved out of the family home and into a Brisbane apartment.
Now, leading public relations and communications expert Robert Gill from Swinburne University has revealed Neale could lose much more – including his lucrative sponsorships with Cash Converters, Puma and Telstra.
‘Short-term there is clearly considerable reputational damage,’ Gill told News Corp.
‘Lachie Neale has developed a brand for himself and as part of a successful Brisbane Lions football team, of which he’s been integral to their success.
‘His branding is: nice guy, exceptional footballer, loyal and hardworking and quite talented, obviously.’
Some star athletes have rebounded from scandals well, like the late Shane Warne. Others have never recovered.
‘Initially there will be a knock-on effect in terms of high-profile business people associated with his endorsements that will take the moral high ground and say, ‘this is inappropriate, we don’t want this associated with our brand’,’ Gill said.
Lachie Neale has moved out of the family home and into a Brisbane apartment following his marriage bust up
Neale has brought an unwanted scandal to the Lions who had been on cloud nine after back-to-back AFL premierships
Neale pictured after winning the premiership with Tess and Ben Crosley and his wife Jules
‘Short-term there’d be people that would be hesitant to take on Lachie Neale as a new contract, but if has a good year this year, he plays well, it falls out of the news and there are no other incidents, the break up of his marriage will dissipate.
‘This kind of crisis for an elite sportsperson is not that uncommon.
‘It happens at different levels and the sporting world is typically quite forgiving, particularly if that person demonstrates they can still perform at an elite level – these types of incidents are quickly forgiven.’
The Neales and the Croswells were neighbours and regularly socialised together, making the fallout particularly damaging on a personal level.
Reports claimed the relationship between Neale and Tess went on for months and was not always hidden from those around them.
The situation reportedly came to light when Jules was alerted after Neale and Tess were seen together in a compromising situation.
Jules later described the situation publicly as an “unimaginable betrayal” and made it clear there would be no reconciliation.
She returned to Perth with the couple’s two young children and cut ties on social media with both Neale and Tess.
Neale issued a brief public apology, did not address specific allegations, and stepped back from his leadership role at Brisbane.
He also moved out of the family home, which was subsequently listed for sale.
Tess, who was married to Ben Crosley, removed photos linked to the Neales and was seen without her wedding ring.
Ben Crosley has not commented publicly on the situation despite reports he and Tess share a young child.
