Peter V’landys’ handling of recent contentious issues in rugby league has led to a push from some NRL club powerbrokers for the “can-do” chairman to take over as executive chairman when chief executive Andrew Abdo leaves the role.
There has been speculation among at least four clubs of tension between the pair, although both men deny any issues and say they have a good working relationship.
ARL Commission chairman V’landys’ successful intervention in the game’s crises – including helping break the stalemate with the players over their collective bargaining agreement and addressing cost and visa concerns raised by the four clubs playing in Las Vegas in round one on March 3 – has left some clubs privately suggesting he should be made executive chairman.
Storm chairman Matt Tripp supports the idea, saying of any push to appoint V’landys as a salaried executive chairman: “We would not oppose it. The more PVL has to do with the game of rugby league, the better off we will be as a club. He continues to drive great outcomes for the game and a full-time role would generate even more positive results for the code.”
V’landys, however, has ruled out unequivocally any possibility of that happening, saying: “No, no interest whatsoever.”
A full-time NRL position would also mean V’landys vacating his present role as chief executive of Racing NSW, which he has said he has no intention of doing.
Of the push by some clubs for him to take a greater role in rugby league, V’landys said: “Although I much appreciate the support of the chairmen and CEOs, I’m not interested, especially considering we have an outstanding CEO.”
Abdo said of the suggestion V’landys could take over as executive chairman: “No one has ever mentioned that to me. I have an excellent relationship with my chairman. We have worked well together for four years, and I am proud of the results we have achieved. Peter’s vision for the game and his drive to succeed motivates all of us.”
The NRL chief said he was in regular contact with clubs and described debate as “healthy and respectful”.
Clubs push for V’landys to step up as NRL executive chairman
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08.02.2024
Peter V’landys’ handling of recent contentious issues in rugby league has led to a push from some NRL club powerbrokers for the “can-do” chairman to take over as executive chairman when chief executive Andrew Abdo leaves the role.
There has been speculation among at least four clubs of tension between the pair, although both men deny any issues and say they have a good working relationship.
ARL Commission chairman V’landys’ successful intervention in the game’s crises – including helping break the stalemate........
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