Sports apparel company BLK placed into administration, casting doubt on deals with six AFL clubs

UPDATE: ST KILDA says it is working with sportswear company BLK to ensure its orders are filled after the company went into receivership, leaving deals with six AFL clubs up in the air.

Josh Bruce helps announce St Kilda’s deal with BLK.

A SPORTSWEAR company signed by St Kilda a week ago has gone into receivership.

Apparel supplier BLK, which has deals with six AFL clubs, has officially informed the AFL it has gone into receivership, jeopardising all merchandise and sponsorship agreements.

An extract from the ASIC database reveals World Rugby Specialists, the parent company of BLK Sports, has been placed under external administration.

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The AFL confirmed to the Herald Sun it was gaining more information. St Kilda has also been informed of the development.

“The AFL is aware that BLK has gone into receivership,” an AFL spokesman said.

“Our commercial/licensing departments are in the process of gathering as much information as they can from the receivers to understand the implications for those clubs in the competition that have a relationship with the company for 2017.

“We have six clubs that will be affected in some form.”

BLK has deals with Adelaide, Brisbane Lions, Richmond, Gold Coast, GWS Giants and St Kilda.

Jamie Harris and Anthony Connelly of McGrathNicol were appointed receivers on Tuesday and released a statement saying they were working to preserve the value of BLK’s assets.

“We are currently undertaking an urgent appraisal of BLK’s operations to determine the best course of action to preserve the value in BLK’s assets,” Harris said.

“We will be liaising closely with employees, suppliers, customers and other stakeholders as part of this process.”

The clubs are still working through the ramifications, with BLK supplying playing and training gear as well as cash sponsorships.

At least one club contacted by the Herald Sun is rapidly searching for a new sponsor to replace BLK.

The news is a particular blow to the Saints, who proudly announced their BLK deal on November 9.

The Saints released a statement on Wednesday, saying they were working with the company to ensure it received its orders.

“The club has been working closely with BLK to better ensure no immediate interruption to supply for the team and is confident fans will not face any delays or cancellations due to the news,” the statement said.

“The Saints will continue to work with the receivers and the AFL to ensure the club obtains all the apparel and merchandise it has ordered in the short-term.”

Under the three-year contract the company would have provided on and off-field apparel for players and officials plus supporter merchandise.

“We are delighted to have BLK on board as the Saints’ official sporting apparel partner in 2017 and beyond,” St Kilda chief commercial officer Christine Finnigan said last week.

“The quality sports apparel BLK produces will play an important role in helping our team to achieve their best performance on the field and training track.”

BLK also has agreements with a bevvy of local sporting clubs.

The Saints are taking pre-orders on their website for BLK guernseys for 2017.

Originally published as Sports apparel company BLK placed into administration, casting doubt on deals with six AFL clubs