St Kilda explains awkward Nike intrusion after fans mock New Balance ad

St Kilda has responded after footy fans mocked their attempt to promote new apparel sponsor New Balance.

The Saints couldn’t wait to show off their New Balance training gear after joining forces with the sports apparel brand on a three-year sponsorship deal.

Unfortunately all anyone was talking about was Nike.

Footy fans couldn’t help but notice the footwear worn by players Max King and Hunter Clark in a pair of Instagram posts sent out by St Kilda on Friday.

While promoting the partnership with New Balance, both footballers had familiar ticks on the side of their sneakers in an awkward intrusion to the new venture.

Max King just did it.

'Now Hunter, smile and say swoosh'

But apparently there was no other option.

After a steady stream of comments questioning why the players were wearing Nikes in a New Balance promotion, the Saints responded: “Our players have shoe/boot partnerships independent of the club.”

That either shows the Saints were unable to find a single marketable player without a shoe sponsorship or the absolute power Nike has if it insisted King and Clark were in its sneakers.

Either way, it feels like a loss for New Balance.

Originally published as St Kilda explains awkward Nike intrusion after fans mock New Balance ad