The Perth Bears are searching for a new CEO after Anthony De Ceglie resigned from the role on Friday evening amid reports he had fallen out of favour with the club’s board.
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Code Sports reported on Tuesday evening that De Ceglie was on the verge of being sacked by the Bears board, only for Australian Rugby League Commission executive chairman Peter V’landys to intervene.
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It proved a short-lived reprieve for the former media executive, who announced on Friday that he would be stepping down with general manager of football Gareth Holmes to take over as CEO for an interim period.
The Bears said in a statement that they will provide more information on future CEO arrangements in the coming days.
De Ceglie, who was only appointed as CEO of the NRL’s expansion club less than 18 months ago, said he was “extremely proud” of what the club had achieved ahead of its inaugural season.
Anthony De Ceglie is out as CEO. Picture: Jonathan NgSource: News Corp Australia
“I have no doubt that the Perth Bears will continue to grow and grow, and become a behemoth of the national sporting stage,” he added.
“The Perth Bears have a professional and dedicated executive leadership team supported by very talented group of committed staff.
“The club is in exceptional hands under the leadership of Head Coach Mal Meninga and Assistant Coach Ben Gardiner. Getting to work alongside both of them for the past year has been one of the greatest highlights of my professional life.
“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity and would like to thank ARLC executive chairman Peter V’landys; whom I have the utmost respect for as an administrator, businessman and human.
“I would also like to thank all of our major partners and our affiliates who helped the Perth Bears grow so successfully and so exponentially.
“I would like to thank the Perth Bears Board too and wish them all the best moving forward.
“Finally, and most importantly, I would like to thank the fans both in Western Australia and North Sydney. They are – and will always be – what matters most. Go Bears!”
De Ceglie was unveiled as the CEO in May last year after a long career in the media, where he became one of the most powerful figures in West Australia as the former director of news and current affairs at Seven West Media.
He also previously worked as the editor-in-chief of The West Australian newspaper.
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De Ceglie is not the first high-profile Bears figure to leave the club ahead of the 2027 season, with now former head of football David Sharpe also quitting in April.
Chair Ben Morton thanked Mr De Ceglie for his leadership in Perth’s startup phase and said the Bears will now turn their attention to hiring a new figurehead as the club prepares for the “next phase of our story”.
“Under Anthony’s leadership, in our start-up phase the Perth Bears have secured record commercial partnership agreements, launched our merchandise range, successfully welcomed more than 20,000 people as our Foundation Members, progressed key infrastructure programs and most importantly recruited what will be a competitive on field team,” Morton added.