Anthony Koutoufides on building the prototype athlete brand

AFL legend Anthony Koutoufides was the prototype ‘modern’ footballer. More than an incredible athlete, Kouta became a superstar brand in the 90s and changed the game for the players that followed. Joining Carlton on a contract worth about $8000 a year, he went on to become arguably the AFL’s first million dollar man. Kouta played 278 games for Carlton between 1992 and 2007. He’s a two-time All-Australian, he captained the Blues for three years and was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2014, and more importantly, he’s a Carlton premiership player. Kouta had a personal sponsorship with Adidas in 1997 which his club tried to force him out of, after doing a team deal with Nike. Kouta and his management fought back and won, in a move that would open up new commercial opportunities for every AFL footballer going forward. Kouta joins Tredders and Dion to talk about this and much more, including the pressures of being one of the AFL’s biggest stars, being a victim of Carlton’s salary cap saga, what he’s learned from the highs and lows of his career and what Kouta's future looks like in health and fitness with his brand, Kouta Fit. Got a question for the next Talkback With Tredders episode? Just reply or comment to our The Big Deal emails, or send a voice note to [email protected] to be included in the show! About The Big Deal The Big Deal reveals the dollars, details and drama behind the business of sport, in Australia and around the world.  Subscribe to the weekly podcast on your favourite podcast player, and join our community and get a weekly wrap of sports deals, breaking sports business news and much more at: www.thebigdeal.au The team Warren Tredrea is an AFL hall of famer, premiership captain, 4 x All-Australian and media commentator. Show creator Andrew Montesi is an injury prone marketer and former TV sports reporter, while producer Dion Hayman is a sun sensitive sports media veteran of 30+ years. The Big Deal podcast is brought to you by Apiro Marketing and Apiro Media, and part of the DM Media network. For business enquiries contact Antony: [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.