Latest news with #LukeSayers
Daily Mail
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
AFL CEO at the centre of lewd pic scandal takes step toward reconciling with Carlton
Former Carlton president Luke Sayers has re-emerged in public life following a turbulent start to 2025, marked by a scandal involving his social media account. On Thursday night, Sayers was seen dining at Gimlet, a renowned Melbourne restaurant, alongside close friend and Carlton coach Michael Voss. The high-profile dinner marks another chapter in what insiders describe as a steady campaign to rebuild his public standing. Gimlet, a favourite among politicians and media figures, was the perfect venue for the quietly strategic reunion. Sayers and Voss forged a strong friendship during Sayers' 12-year tenure on the Carlton board, including his term as president. They were often seen attending high-level events together, even gifting Carlton guernseys to visiting stars like Tom Brady and Chris Martin. But their dinner comes just months after Sayers' presidency ended in the wake of a controversial image posted to his X account. On January 9, a graphic photo of a penis appeared on Sayers' verified social media profile, tagging a senior executive from Carlton sponsor Bupa. Sayers was holidaying in Italy with his family when the image was posted and swiftly deleted. The post remained online for 12 minutes, enough time for others to capture and reshare it. Sayers denied any involvement and stated his account had been hacked. The AFL Integrity Unit investigated and found that his account had indeed been compromised by a third party. Despite being cleared of wrongdoing, Sayers resigned from his role on January 22, citing the toll the scandal had taken on his family, friends, and colleagues. 'I did not post the image, either deliberately or accidentally,' Sayers said in an emotional resignation statement. 'I deeply regret that other people including my family, friends, colleagues and football club have been caught up in this matter.' He added that he was 'outraged' by the alleged cyber attack and would 'leave no stone unturned' in finding out who was responsible. The AFL later confirmed no further investigation would occur. Sayers and his wife Cate have separated following the scandal involving a lewd image posted from his social media account The fallout extended beyond Sayers' departure from Carlton. Bupa withdrew its naming rights from a charity event just weeks later, although it confirmed its broader sponsorship with the club would continue. Sayers also announced he would step back as chairman of his consulting firm, the Sayers Group, although his name remained on its website. In April, he rebranded the business to Tenet Advisory & Investments and has since resumed limited public appearances. In recent weeks, Sayers has been seen attending Carlton matches, including as a guest in the MCC Committee Room with outgoing club CEO Brian Cook. Cook, a long-time ally, was personally recruited by Sayers from Geelong and will step down in October. Sayers hosted a private thank-you lunch at France-Soir in April, attended by former AFL chief Gill McLachlan, St Kilda president Andrew Bassat, and media adviser Sharon McCrohan. It was an intimate event with those who had stood by him through the scandal. His dinner with Voss further signals a thaw in relations between the former president and his beloved Blues. Fellow diners at Gimlet noted Voss appeared relaxed and tanned after a brief Fiji holiday during the club's bye. The dinner took place ahead of Carlton's high-stakes clash with traditional rivals Essendon, making its timing even more symbolic. Voss and Sayers remain close, with Sayers being one of the first to publicly praise Voss after he made headlines last year for chasing down an alleged knife-wielding thief. Despite his recent re-emergence, controversy still lingers around the club. A separate investigation is now underway into a senior Carlton staffer after complaints from a whistleblower were referred to the AFL Integrity Unit. The club confirmed the matter is unrelated to gender-based misconduct and the staff member is currently on pre-planned leave. 'The club's first priority is, and always will be, its people,' a statement read.
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
AFL club president who stepped down during 'd**k pic' scandal is 'on the verge of making a bold new move'
Former Carlton president Luke Sayers' consultancy firm is reportedly set for a rebrand in the wake of a lewd photo scandal that took place earlier this year. Sayers Group, an advisory organisation that has offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra, is now set for a rebrand, with the firm now due to be called 'Tenet', according to reports in The Herald Sun. The move is set to take place in the coming days, with further changes also set to come into force at board level. Sayers had co-founded the company in 2020, a year before he was appointed as the president of the Carlton Football Club and had operated as the executive chairman of Sayers Group. The father-of-four had subsequently said he would take some time away from his role at Sayers Group, but as of writing is still listed as the company's chairman on its website. It is now understood that Sammy Kumar, a fellow founder, is set to leave his post as the firm's chief executive officer. It comes as Sayers (pictured with wife Cate) was caught up in a lewd photo saga earlier this year Speaking to the Financial Review, Sayers and Kumar said the new identity of the firm was to 'reposition' the company and 'reinforce its long-term focus'. 'It is the right time to move forward with a new identity, as we transition from a start-up to a significant participant in the sector,' Sayers told the Financial Review. On January 22, Sayers stood down from his role at Carlton and took leave away from Sayers Group, after a graphic sexual image was posted on his social media accounts on January 9. The Australian businessman's X account had posted an image of a mystery man's penis on the social media platform. The post had tagged the X account of a top female management figure at a company linked with Carlton. The photo was online for 12 minutes before Sayers noticed the development and removed it. He later issued an apology to his followers. 'Sorry, my account has been hacked - please ignore all posts,' the former PwC executive wrote. The married father of four was 'outraged' by the alleged attack, telling Daily Mail Australia that he was now looking into what happened. 'This is outrageous. I'm investigating and will leave no stone unturned finding out who did this to me and my family,' he said. The former footy boss was subsequently cleared by the AFL following an investigation by their integrity unit, who, alongside Carlton, said that his account was compromised. 'The past two weeks have been very tough for everyone who has been impacted by an unauthorised social media post,' the former club president said, on announcing his resignation. 'I did not post the image, either deliberately or accidentally. 'This decision draws a line in the sand.' Despite his resignation, a club sponsor had later pulled out of an event being run by Carlton. Bupa cancelled its naming rights for the club's Run for Respect event on February 2. Though the healthcare firm said they would continue their relationship with Carlton. Upon announcing his resignation from the AFL club, Sayers added: 'Leading the Carlton Football Club has been one of the great honours and privileges of my life,' he said. 'I leave knowing the club is in great shape, and with my deepest gratitude for its understanding and support.
