Luke Sayers, president of the Carlton Football Club, has stepped down following a scandal involving a lewd image posted from his social media account. The incident occurred on January 8, 2025, when a graphic image was shared from Sayers’ X (formerly Twitter) account. The post, which tagged a senior female executive at Bupa, a key Carlton sponsor, was deleted shortly after. Sayers claimed his account was hacked and denied any involvement.
The AFL Integrity Unit conducted a thorough investigation and determined that Sayers’ account had indeed been compromised, clearing him of direct wrongdoing. However, despite being exonerated, Sayers announced his resignation, citing a need to focus on his family and address the personal toll of the situation privately.
Sayers also took a leave of absence from his consulting firm, Sayers Group, leaving its operations in the hands of an eight-person leadership team led by CEO Sammy Kumar. His resignation marks the end of a tenure during which Carlton experienced consecutive finals campaigns and significant membership growth.
In a statement, Sayers expressed deep regret for the distress caused to those involved and gratitude for the support he received during the challenging time. Co-vice presidents Robert Priestley and Patty Kinnersly will assume interim leadership roles until a new president is appointed.
The AFL acknowledged the cooperation of all parties involved in the investigation and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting those affected by the incident. While Sayers’ leadership brought many successes to Carlton, his resignation highlights the increasing scrutiny faced by public figures in the digital age.
The scandal serves as a reminder of the importance of cybersecurity and accountability in high-profile roles, as well as the personal and professional impact of public controversies. Carlton now looks to move forward under new leadership.
