Save
You have reached your maximum number of saved items.
Remove items from your saved list to add more.
AAA
Rugby league chiefs believe they have found a way to install NRL supremo Peter V’landys as the code’s all-powerful executive chairman without the need for direct approval of the game’s 17 clubs.
League is at a historic turning point as officials prepare to sign a mammoth new $5 billion broadcasting rights deal, while also working through the implications of the imminent departure of chief executive officer Andrew Abdo, who has been appointed the next boss of Tennis Australia.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys could seek to become excecutive chairman following the imminent departure of CEO Andrew Abdo. Artwork by Matt Willis
V’landys has not ruled out a bid to combine his existing chairman duties with those of the chief executive but has previously said that would require a change to the constitution.
A key clause prohibits a director of the Australian Rugby League Commission from becoming chief executive, and also prevents a director from being employed by the NRL in any capacity.
Several clubs have said they would support altering the constitution to allow V’landys to leave his two-decade-long role as Racing NSW chief executive and focus full-time on league as executive chairman. A majority of the eight-member ARLC board also supports the change.
Sixteen of the game’s 17 clubs would need to support the constitutional tweak, along with both NSW Rugby League and Queensland Rugby League.
Opinions are divided in the game over the likely outcome of such a vote. Some are confident he would win, but others believe a small group of clubs could seek to veto any change on the basis it places too much power in the hands of one person.
But the Herald can now reveal ARLC directors have over recent weeks discussed legal advice which they believe allows V’landys to take control without any change to the constitution.
Installing V’landys without a vote would give the league chief an uninterrupted path to total power but could agitate clubs who want a say in such a big decision.
An executive chairman role would allow V’landys to retain an annual salary of more than $1 million should he quit his day job as Racing NSW chief executive.
Related Article
V’landys declined to comment other than to stress he had not made his mind up on whether to seek the combined role.
One clause in the ARLC’s governing document notes a director cannot serve as CEO. But a separate clause says directors “may from time to time” create any other role they like, and crucially, that role can be filled by a director.
V’landys’ backers on the board believe this allows them to create the new role of executive chairman and fill it with the 64-year-old administrator.
Several senior club figures are aware of the legal advice being discussed.
A final sticking point is clause 32b, which prevents a director from being appointed as an employee of the NRL. However, the Herald has been told Abdo is officially an employee of the ARLC, not the NRL, and plan to use this distinction to get around the clause.
The same clause notes a director also can’t be an employee of “any related body corporate” of the NRL. Opponents of V’landys may seize on this clause to oppose any vote-free coronation by arguing the spirit of the wording is also designed to capture the ARLC.
Peter V’landys has dominated Sydney’s racing scene for two decades and may soon seek an elevated role at the NRL.Tim Bauer
A new television rights deal to be signed this week could pacify some concerns from clubs not yet sold on the idea given the blockbuster revenue agreement will cement V’landys’ status as rainmaker for the game.
Nine and Foxtel will remain the game’s official broadcasters until at least 2034 under the deal worth at least $700 million a year. The agreement eclipses the $643 million per year deal the AFL struck with broadcasters Seven, Foxtel and Telstra in 2022.
At a press conference last month announcing Abdo’s departure, V’landys said that a rule change would be needed to allow him to serve as executive chairman.
He also stressed the NRL chief executive role called for someone who knew how to run a sports business.
“Rugby league is a sport but also a business,” he said. “We are almost reaching nearly $1 billion in revenue. The person’s got to know rugby league, they’ve got to have commercial skills and experience.
“This isn’t about rugby league on a weekend. This is a major business. You need somebody who knows how to run a profit centre, knows how to manage a major business. Like it or not, that’s what we are.”
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
Save
You have reached your maximum number of saved items.
Remove items from your saved list to add more.
Bevan Shields is a senior writer, and former editor of The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.From our partners