![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/poster-fallback.png\"\/)
<\/p>\n
He\u2019ll switch sports after former Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley left for the chief executive position at the United States Tennis Association.<\/p>\n
Andrew Abdo has resigned as NRL CEO.Source: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n
Abdo, who took over as NRL CEO from Todd Greenberg in 2020, has been integral to the stunning growth of the game after starting out under the extraordinary circumstances of the Covid-19 global pandemic.<\/p>\n
Alongside ARLC chairman Peter V\u2019landys, Abdo has overseen the entry of a new expansion team (Dolphins, 2023), with two more expansion teams due to join in 2027 (Bears) and 2028 (PNG Chiefs).<\/p>\n
The NRL\u2019s finances have never been in a better position, with the competition\u2019s annual revenue close to reaching $1 billion. <\/p>\n
The game is now negotiating a new broadcast deal for 2028 onwards.<\/p>\n
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!<\/a><\/p>\n Cowboys beat Bunnies to close on top 8 | 03:54<\/p>\n Abdo heaped praise on rugby league as a sport in a statement released on Monday, saying: \u201cLeading the NRL has been a privilege and the highlight of my career.<\/p>\n \u201cTogether we have built a strong, innovative and resilient organisation, expanded the reach of the game and positioned it for an exciting future.<\/p>\n \u201cRugby 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 \u201cThe NRL is in a strong position \u2014 strategically, commercially and in how it is governed.<\/p>\n \u201cThe game doesn\u2019t stand still, and it shouldn\u2019t. 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Elsewhere, V\u2019landys was asked who will be taking over as interim CEO \u2014 revealing he will take the reins once Abdo departs.<\/p>\n \u201cAndrew will be here until the 15th of July, after that yes, I will be taking on executive duties until a replacement is found,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n \u201cI have taken four months long-service leave from my current role at Racing NSW to take this on. It\u2019s a very important time for rugby league.\u201d<\/p>\n He was then pressed on whether he would stay on in the role, saying: \u201cLook today is about Andrew, I am not going to go into those details at this stage.<\/p>\n \u201cI am just still recovering from the fetal position when Andrew resigned, so until I can get myself out of that corner I will start thinking about what the future is.\u201d<\/p>\n He also stated taking on the \u201cexecutive and the board function\u201d was not \u201callowable under the constitution at the moment\u201d meaning NRL clubs would have to alter it for that to happen long-term.<\/p>\n \u201cI can assure you that I will not be CEO,\u201d he concluded on the topic.<\/p>\n V\u2019landys also labelled Abdo \u201cone of the best things that has happened to the game\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cI said when he was appointed that he would be the best NRL CEO ever and he has been,\u201d V\u2019landys said.<\/p>\n \u201cAndrew\u2019s professionalism, conscientiousness and work ethic will be impossible to replace.<\/p>\n \u201cI am very sad, however, the opportunity he has been given to run Tennis Australia is a testament to how good he is.<\/p>\n \u201cWe respect his decision. This is a significant opportunity and one he has earned.<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n CRAWLEY: Gutho move Dragons must make; Gus move backfires<\/a><\/p>\n TALKING PTS: Dogs\u2019 fresh spine shock as Bellamy gets \u2018filthy\u2019 at Storm<\/a><\/p>\n