The NRL has axed its controversial rebooted ‘Simply the Best’ ad in which Latrell Mitchell starred, with the footy player under scrutiny for breaching social distancing laws.
The original ad was deemed too political by many, and at the time, the NRL’s chief commercial officer Andrew Abdo – now acting CEO – said it would be tweaked. In the ad, Mitchell can be seen draped in the Aboriginal flag.
However, Abdo has denied scrapping the ad has anything to do with Mitchell, saying the ad is now simply no longer appropriate in a league where fans are unable to attend games.
Abdo told the Sunday Telegraph: “We pulled the ad as soon as the season stopped. It was about getting fans to the game and now we have to work on a different message.
“It’s about getting the game back on. It’s about enjoying it in a different way and we need to emphasise that. We need to work on virtual tribalism. I can assure you it had nothing to do with the events of the last week.”
Abdo said the focus is now entirely on TV viewership.
“The Tina Turner commercial was designed to stir up emotions and get fans to the venues. Whatever we do next will be more focused to get people to watch the games on TV,” he said.
Watch the ad below.
