Peter V’landys has been appointed executive chairman of the NRL, making him the most powerful administrator in the 118-year history of Australian rugby league.
The new role effectively combines his position as chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission with that of chief executive of the NRL. The commission said the appointment had been unanimously endorsed after consultation with clubs and states.
V’landys, who has chaired the commission since 2019, has also been acting as NRL chief for the past two months. He stepped in after Andrew Abdo left for Tennis Australia, taking four months’ long-service leave from Racing NSW to fill the vacancy.
He confirmed on Thursday that he was resigning from Racing NSW after 22 years in charge, marking his full-time move from racing to rugby league.
“I am honoured every day to have the opportunity to give something back to rugby league and could not be more excited for the game’s future,” V’landys said.
“Rugby league is the greatest game of all, and we are going to take it to the world.”
The appointment is expected to run for just over three years, matching V’landys’ new term on the commission when he faces re-election in February. Under term limits introduced five years ago, his commission tenure is due to end in 2030.
However, he could be nominated for a further three-year term by a majority of the other commissioners if they decide there are “exceptional circumstances” to justify his reappointment. As chairman, V’landys can make the same determination regarding individual commissioners.
The NRL said V’landys had overseen “the most successful and transformative period in the game’s history” and that his appointment would provide certainty as the sport expands in Australia and internationally.
Peter Beattie, a fellow commission member and former chairman, said: “Peter has completely reinvigorated rugby league during his tenure and the commission is backing him in to grow the game even further.”
He added: “Peter inherited a game with limited reserves and no significant assets, one that had needed an advance from its broadcasters just to pay the clubs and players. He consistently put the fan first, and the record audiences and the biggest broadcast deal in Australian sport followed.”
It has been speculated that V’landys could receive as much as 3 million Australian dollars a year in the new role.
