{"id":693160,"date":"2026-05-25T08:42:26","date_gmt":"2026-05-25T08:42:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/693160\/"},"modified":"2026-05-25T08:42:26","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T08:42:26","slug":"andrew-abdo-resigns-as-nrl-boss-to-take-up-tennis-australia-role-peter-vlandys-to-take-over","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/693160\/","title":{"rendered":"Andrew Abdo resigns as NRL boss to take up Tennis Australia role, Peter V’landys to take over"},"content":{"rendered":"

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has announced his shock mid-season resignation to lead Tennis Australia (TA).<\/p>\n

TA had been on the lookout for a new chief executive after Craig Tiley announced in February that he was stepping down this year to become head of the US Tennis Association.<\/p>\n

Abdo’s resignation comes as the NRL stands on the cusp of unprecedented expansion, welcoming teams in Perth and PNG in 2027 and 2028, respectively.<\/p>\n

Abdo will stay with the NRL until July 15 to help complete broadcast negotiations, with Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V’landys replacing Abdo until a new CEO is in place.<\/p>\n

\"Andrew<\/p>\n

Andrew Abdo (left) and Peter V’landys (right) have worked together closely for seven years. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)<\/p>\n

“Leading the NRL has been a privilege and the highlight of my career,” Abdo said.<\/p>\n

“Together we have built a strong, innovative and resilient organisation, expanded the reach of the game and positioned it for an exciting future.<\/p>\n

“Rugby league has given me opportunities I could only have dreamed of, experiences that cannot be compared and I have made friendships for a lifetime. It has been an honour to be part of the rugby league family.<\/p>\n

“The NRL is in a strong position \u2014 strategically, commercially and in how it is governed.<\/p>\n

“The game doesn’t stand still, and it shouldn’t. The game means so much to so many and the future of rugby league has never been more exciting. I look forward to watching that continued success from the outside.”<\/p>\n

A collective bargaining agreement with the Rugby League Players’ Association is up for renewal after the 2027 NRL season.<\/p>\n

Abdo took charge of the NRL in April 2020 and helped the league navigate the competition’s COVID-enforced shutdown and subsequent resumption that May.<\/p>\n

Under Abdo’s leadership, the NRL has executed its daring plan to open the season with matches in Las Vegas, a deal that also runs out after 2027.<\/p>\n

The league has introduced major changes to its rule-book on Abdo’s watch, most notably introducing the divisive set-restart rule.<\/p>\n

ABC Sport Daily podcast<\/a><\/p>\n

ABC Sport Daily is your daily sports conversation. We dive into the biggest story of the day and get you up to speed with everything else that’s making headlines.<\/p>\n

Abdo was also chief executive when the NRL expanded for the first time since 2007, introducing the Dolphins for the 2023 season.<\/p>\n

Prior to replacing Todd Greenberg as chief executive, Abdo had served as the NRL’s chief commercial officer from 2013 until 2020, and previously worked in the corporate sector.<\/p>\n

Tiley had worked at TA since starting as the player development chief in 2005.<\/p>\n

He became the Australian Open tournament director the following year and CEO in 2013 and had been easily Australia’s highest-paid sports administrator with a multi-million-dollar salary.<\/p>\n

Most of the movers and shakers in Australian tennis are in Paris for the French Open, which started on Sunday.<\/p>\n

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