Fans and players have voiced their displeasure with Carlton's grey clash jersey. GETTY IMAGES
Australian Football League side Carlton may be "forced" to wear its "controversial" grey clash jersey in '19 and beyond, despite the club's "best endeavours" to renegotiate its contract with Nike, according to Sam McClure of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. To avoid "further anger" from the supporter base, club execs are "working overtime to renegotiate the deal," but with Nike’s design process believed to operate up to two years in advance, Carlton players "could be forced to run out in a universally maligned jumper next year." Carlton CEO Cain Liddle said, "As a global brand, we are restricted with lead-in times for production, which means that next year's clash strip was ordered from Nike more than 12 months ago. We are, however, in discussions with Nike about what changes can be made in order to deliver a clash strip in Carlton's traditional navy blue and white colors for 2019." Players, staff and senior figures at Carlton "voiced their disgust internally" with the '18 away strip and Liddle has been in contact with Nike and the AFL to change the deal (SMH, 8/14).
