Evans’s manager, "Dutch" Slaven, knew there was going to be trouble with his star client’s major sponsor, Allsports Sporting Goods. Before the season he had negotiated and signed a contract with the Taiwanese sporting goods manufacturer, convincing them that Evans was the ideal vehicle to launch their range of children’s sports clothes into the Australian market.

"He’s what we want," the Chief Executive of the Australian Division had said when he pitched the proposed contract to his Board of Directors. "He’s squeaky clean, good looking, and a champion. Mothers love him, and one day he’s going to win the Brownlow and captain his club." They had agreed to make a lucrative offer.

At a meeting with Slaven, the Chief Executive made this offer: "We’ll give you $100,000 for a series of ten advertisements and ten in-store appearances, and an option for a further 12 months."

Slaven signed a letter of understanding in anticipation of the full contract. A week later, in the glare of television lights on the 27^th floor Allsports headquarters, the contract was signed.