The AFL has expressed its displeasure towards player agent Ralph Carr for prematurely announcing that Snoop Dogg will headline this year’s grand final. Although the official confirmation came on Tuesday, the news wasn’t unexpected, as Carr had hinted about it on his LinkedIn profile 12 days earlier, stating he would be managing Snoop Dogg’s appearance in Australia.
Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire noted that the AFL executives were not impressed with the leak on LinkedIn. He shared on his podcast, Eddie and Jimmy, that they admonished Carr for the oversight, emphasising that it was the AFL’s announcement to make. He also mentioned speculation around Australian artist Kylie Minogue potentially performing at the event, suggesting that the AFL might have planted that rumour in light of the Snoop Dogg news being prematurely disclosed.
The situation escalated as Carr’s post, although quickly deleted, spread widely, leading to moments of tension with the AFL. McGuire called out that Carr’s communication was seen as out of line, saying, "they read Carr the riot act" for undermining the proper announcement procedure.
Despite the earlier buzz regarding Minogue’s participation, no official plans materialised for her inclusion in the event. Carr, who has represented star players like Dustin Martin throughout his career, continues to manage several other AFL talents including Shai Bolton, Mabior Chol, and Daniel Rioli. The overall unrest stemming from the leaked information highlights the sensitive nature of announcements within the AFL community, particularly concerning high-profile performers at major events like the grand final.