Book publisher presses pause as sponsors shun Isaac Heeney amid Sydney Swans scandal

The promotion of Isaac Heeney’s children books have been paused and sponsors continue to distance themselves from the AFL superstar as the fallout to the alleged sexual assault scandal continues.

Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, Riley Bice and James Jordon were all handed season-ending bans for breaching club standards for their behaviour at a Melbourne hotel in the early hours of Monday morning.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Swans players face police interviews over assault allegations

The players have been linked to an ongoing police investigation into sexual assault allegations at East Melbourne’s Pullman Hotel, with Victorian sex crime detectives travelling to Sydney to interview the players.

Heeney, who won back-to-back Bob Skilton Medals as the club’s best and fairest in 2024 and 2025, has been revealed as the focus of the investigation.

Heeney and the other players are assisting police with their inquiries, and no charges have been laid.

Allen & Unwin, who publishes Heeney’s Little Isaac Footy Fever book series, have revealed they have paused promotion and halted publication of a third book, which was due to hit the shelves later this year.

The move comes after Colgate, Telstra and Nike distances themselves from the players.

“Allen & Unwin is aware of reports relating to Isaac Heeney and a Victoria Police investigation, and that his employer has exercised sanctions under club policy and terms of his employment,” they said in a statement.

“We view this matter seriously and believe that the women involved deserve respect and support.

“We have paused promotion of his two books and the publication of his third book, while the police investigation is under way.

“We are unable to comment further while the matter is in the hands of the police.”

Leading dental brand Colgate has suspended a lucrative sponsorship deal with the 30-year-old vice captain, who along with his teammates has apologised for the behaviour at the Melbourne hotel.

Telstra also announced that Heeney and Warner won’t be a part of any promotional activity while the police investigation is ongoing.