Thank you Mr. Gallop, but your time is up
Roar Pro
By Mitchell Byrne, 10 Mar 2010 The Crowd is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- David Gallop, NRL, Rugby League, South Sydney Rabbitohs, western Sydney
It’s been a pleasure Mr. Gallop, but your time is up. As we’ve all heard before the NRL is in for a challenging few years as it attempts to counter the AFL’s efforts to inhabit its base of Western Sydney, and many seem to believe that Gallop is the man to lead the charge.
Whilst Mr. Gallop certainly presents well on television when facing the cameras after yet another player scandal, a light scratch of the surface reveals he leads an administration that has restricted our great game for the past 10 years.
Ask a CEO in any industry for advice and one of the tips you’ll get is to always keep one eye on your competitors. How is it then that Mr. Gallop has seemingly spent his tenure wearing the blinkers? For the past 20 years, the AFL (the NRL’s chief competitor) has driven and promoted club membership as the path to securing its clubs’ financial stability – one of the few remaining untapped revenues left in Australian professional sport.
On the contrary, the NRL under Gallop’s watch sat idly on its backside, waiting for the next penny to appear miraculously out of nowhere to counter the evaporating League’s club grants generated by the introduction of poker machine tax at the clubs.
AFL clubs now have a total of 574,091 members compared to the NRL who are closing in on 100,000. In a period where NRL clubs look far and wide for additional revenue, an astute CEO would’ve replicated and implemented a similar model for his clubs 10 years ago. But not Gallop.
It’s taken the leadership of the Rabbitohs to take the initiative three years ago to focus a business model centred around a solid club membership. It is only now that Gallop’s administration has fallen into place and is slowly allocating the resources necessary to bridge the 20 year head-start the AFL has had.
Why has the NRL taken so long to smell the roses?
On the NRL’s television deal, how does a CEO sell his product for $70 million a year less than his competitor, when his own product’s TV ratings are a lot more even than the prices paid? How does a CEO agree to terms with Channel 9 and allow them to dictate when his games are played? How does a CEO agree on a television contract that does not enforce Channel 9 to broadcast at least one match per week (Storm) live into such a key strategic market such as Melbourne?
Needless to say the AFL ticked these boxes by not only ensuring Swans and Lions games are broadcast north of the border each and every week (sometimes beaten by IronChef on SBS), but the AFL also determine when and where their games are played, allowing the season draw to be finalised four months prior to the season kickoff.
The current NRL deal saw such ludicrous fixturing in 2009 as the Rabbitohs versus Roosters match being played out at ANZ Stadium on a Monday night in front of 10,000 people. The deal also means NRL fans are restricted to only two games of daylight footy per week. In a climate where all codes are vying for the families dollar, this deal was another masterstroke from Mr. Gallop. Where is his accountability for such a dreadful deal?
On administration, if you were blindfolded and dropped into NRL headquarters, you would swear you were in the NRLs past players’ museum. Unlike other codes where the days of awarding your mates and ex-teammates a job at the top are long gone, the NRL and its clubs continue its blazer wearing, jobs for the old boys culture. It’s a quick who’s who of past players that fill important key strategic roles both in the NRL’s administration and throughout the NRL clubs. It it any wonder most NRL clubs are broke?
For example:
Ian Schubert – Salary Cap Auditor
Mario Fenech – Corporate Sales Manager
Graham Annesley – Chief of Operations
Graham Lowe – Manly CEO
Paul Osborne – Parramatta CEO
Steve Edge – Parramatta Marketing Manager
Peter Peters – Manly Media Manager
Shannon Donato – Panthers Marketing Manager
Mr. Gallop was bought in as a peacemaker at an incredibly challenging time of the game’s history. For a time he did a great job in bridging the gap between both sides, and for that we are thankful.
However, as the game faces its next big challenge from the AFL, it’s time for change; making room for a younger more commercially astute CEO, such as a Todd Greenberg or Michael Searle. At the same time, a broom needs to put through the entire organisation of ex-players and blazer wearers to make way for a team ready to face the challenges ahead.
David, it’s time you galloped off into the sunset.
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- Explore:
- David Gallop, NRL, Rugby League, South Sydney Rabbitohs, western Sydney
oikee said | March 10th 2010 @ 7:33am | Report comment
Well you know my feelings about this, but i will be fair. Gallop did a good job last year holding the game together. It could have went one of 2 ways, he could have just woke up one morning and handed in his notice. But to be fair, he stuck firm.
So for this reason alone, i give him full credit, and i think it rates him highly as the man in charge, which he should not be.
We need this independent commission to take all the heat off Gallop. He is , and only should be used as the front man, not one trying to make decisions and also having to face the media every 2 minutes.
As for memberships, we always had them, it was only last year we figured out that the game to survive has to grow them.
I think they are doing a fantastic job so far. By the end of the year it looks like we might have around 150 thousand. ? The total now stands at 122 thousand. Now, if you put this into context, all clubs can only get stronger from now. Even the weker clubs.
As for the dinosaurs, yes my one point i keep banging home, we need new blood, these older guys have past there use-by date. They have to be big enough to realise that rugby league is moving into the future and fast. Why they dont step aside is anyones guess, but i think they need a freindly push. We cant keep carrying this deadwood if we are to be seen as a innovative sport.
A change at CEO level does wonders for clubs. Searle, Greenberg, Osbourne, the Panthers need a shake-up, and the Broncos also. These 2 clubs should be the most profitable. The Broncos are, but even i could make a profit at the Broncos without lifting a finger. They should have 40 thousand members, and probably will have once Bruno walks.
We all know what needs to happen, change.
Dogs Of War said | March 10th 2010 @ 7:38am | Report comment
I agree that a new leader is needed, though I do believe that Gallop did his job well, which was to rebuild the foundations of the game again so that we could actually build upwards from them.
Super League did considerable damage to the game, but I think the game is at a crossroads now where a more aggressive leader is required, one that will promote the game at all opportunities, and push for a fair go on Channel 9/Foxtel (parity? Games broadcast live via Foxtel into markets that Channel 9 refuses to). Even submissions of interest for 2 teams to join the comp (similar to the AFL, they could be a year apart).
Not to mention the IC which I think the first thing they should do, is get an independent report into the state of the game, similar to what the NZRL did, and then ensure those recommendations are put in place to help grow the game.
Mushi said | March 10th 2010 @ 9:06am | Report comment
Shouldn’t that report be done before the IC is established to ensure the right structure is adopted? Seems kind of cart before the horse to put in place an entirely new administrative structure and then determine what it is they are supposed to do.
Dogs Of War said | March 10th 2010 @ 9:27am | Report comment
Probably, but everybody seems fixated on this element, so the IC will come first. AFL did a report into there game at a similar time to there governing body getting a restructure.
oikee said | March 10th 2010 @ 7:54am | Report comment
Yes the IC is needed for the sole purpose of making sure our next t/v deal is rock solid. Gallop could do with the help of people who know how to do these deals and make the right decisions. Unlike what happened last time, but live and learn.
I will say this much, and it makes sense to this article. When rugby league gets the Independent commission up and running, and Gallop then reports and deals with these board members, people who know what they are doing, he will really shine in this role, rather than what happens now, talking to the dimwits that this post mentions.
This might also help get rid of the dinosaurs. They wont be invited to these meetings. It sounds harse, but in truth, this is what needs to happen, They wont go peacefully, so lets send them out screaming and kicking. It needs to be done so the game can move forward. We all know this, we just need a way to make it happen.
You have to remember, it was up to the clubs to grow memberships, not Gallop.
sheek said | March 10th 2010 @ 8:14am | Report comment
Perhaps Gallop should go only because he’s been in the job what….. 10-12 years?
I truly believe the stress at the top surrounding a job like this, means there is a finite time for a person to be effective before they become jaded.
In other words, Gallop’s best days are behind him, not in front of him. It’s time for a fresh face, a fresh approach.
That said, I think he’s proved himself a fine administrator who did many good things without fuss or fanfare.
Brett McKay said | March 10th 2010 @ 8:34am | Report comment
Just on the club membership point, surely it’s the decision of the clubs, and not the NRL, to offer and sell membership packages? Just because the clubs haven’t done this to the same level as AFL clubs, surely that’s not the fault of the governing body solely?
Dogz R Barkn said | March 10th 2010 @ 9:13am | Report comment
Good point Brett.
Also, it’s a furphy to say that the AFL only started pushing memberships 20 years ago. Aussie rules clubs have always had big memberships (in the Southern states), compared to other sports.
Yes, they have grown in the past decade or so, by quite a lot, but that’s as much a product of economic growth and prosperity as it is of anything specific the AFL has done.
I have friends in Melbourne who have been members since they were kids, and their parents and grand parents were members – that’s not uncommon in Melbourne.
Mitchell Byrnes said | March 10th 2010 @ 4:44pm | Report comment
To simply say the ‘ AFL have always had big Memberships’ is exactly the same boofhead mentality the management at NRL headquarters have had for the past 20 years.
Membership bases do not just grow out of nothing & if they did why didnt the NRL Memberships grow alongside the AFLs? They grow with smart marketing campaigns along with proper infrastructure and resources provided by management. NRL clubs havent been bothered due to the big fat Leagues Club cheque awaiting them at the end of each year. That is now drying up and now we will sort the pretenders from the contenders.
Mushi said | March 11th 2010 @ 7:05am | Report comment
Actually I’d say that the biggest driver of broad based membership is attitude of fans.
In the AFL the fans hold other fans accountable, there is a clear difference between having say Carlton as your team and being a member that we don’t have in rugby league.
Sport is about tribalism, there is no rational reason to follow a specific team. So our sense of belonging to that “tribe” is what is going to drive us.
They can put in place marketing and communication strategies but what you are asking for is cultural change which is a very slow and difficult thing to hoist up on a group of people.
How did this happen in Melbourne and not Sydney, who knows maybe it was the one sport town syndrome, maybe it was is the same thing that drives Melbournians to believe their city is far superior and they need to tell everyone about it – even people who don’t know where Melbourne is. Sydney is a relatively apathetic city compared to Melbourne.
Mitchell Byrnes said | March 10th 2010 @ 4:28pm | Report comment
Correct, it is up to the clubs to build and maintain their respective Membership base however it up to the NRL, as the governing body to set the benchmark and guide the clubs, as does the AFL to its clubs. It has only been in the past 12 months the NRL has enforced clubs to reveal their Membership numbers. Where was this 10 years ago? Clubs need to be held accountable for their Memership figures, and the only way clubs can be held accountable is if the NRL enforces such public exposure of figures, as they have done.
Mushi said | March 10th 2010 @ 9:04am | Report comment
I think changing CEO now, when clearly we are already in the initial rounds of negotiating for the TV deal is ill thought out. Unless you are bringing in someone who has been preparing behind the scenes and with their main skills are as a negotiator (which means you’d need to change CEO’s again post TV rights) then you are handing the better prepared and seasoned TV executives a major advantage.
trent said | March 10th 2010 @ 10:28am | Report comment
I think Gallop has taken the NRL to another level up look at the TV ratings and media circus around the NRL. It getting bigger and better every year.
Hanzo said | March 10th 2010 @ 10:53am | Report comment
Lowe didn’t play in the NRL and I’d argue that Paul Osborne is one of these “new-era” CEOs you rant about.
Mitchell Byrnes said | March 10th 2010 @ 4:38pm | Report comment
Lowe was an ex coach who’s skill set lies in telling players where to stand on a footy field. Would love to hear your thoughts on how these skill sets translate to managing a $10-15 million business in one of the most competitive sporting markets in the world.
skull said | March 11th 2010 @ 12:36pm | Report comment
Would love to hear your thoughts on why it doesnt. Are you sure that is all Lowe has ever done. Did you know Searle
is an ex front rower who played for the South Qld Crushers (I think)
Brett McKay said | March 11th 2010 @ 12:40pm | Report comment
actually Skull, Searle was a backrower for the Gold Coast Seagulls and maybe the Giants before them!!
Chop said | March 10th 2010 @ 11:20am | Report comment
I’ll reserve my judgement and see how he goes with the next TV deal. When negotiating the last one, he was playing against a stacked deck and Kerry Packer metaphorically bent him over the negotiating table because he was the only one interested.
This time around it would surprise me if things go badly.
I like the talk from Gallop about the potential to break up the rights to Friday/Saturday/Sunday/Monday games for the NRL and the rep games seperate again.
This should maximise any revenue the game could possibly get from TV/Radio and internet….
oikee said | March 10th 2010 @ 12:17pm | Report comment
Tell you what is needed, members to stop voting these old dinosaurs back into the job. Hold them accountable. Classic example, look what happened at penrith, a dinosaur who has been around for 20 years, run the club into the ground, sold half there asserts, and then just retires when it looks hopeless. Not to mention the fans keep voting these old board members back in.? So who is to blame really.
As i keep saying, CEO’s at clubs need to be sweep away. Before its your club with no future. Manly needs to link up with sunshine coast, Roosters to move to Perth. Why wait for these clubs to drag the whole thing down.
The reason i mention Manly, they just rein-stated a old dinosoar to run the club. ? Come on, lets help Manly now, before its to late. They obviously have no idea. Roosters, simple, they have no roots, no juniors? why suffer with no base.
Mals said | March 10th 2010 @ 1:14pm | Report comment
Oikee, Manly doesn’t need to move to the Sunshine Coast. This will alienate 99.9% of their supporters! What they are better off doing is tapping into the northern suburbs of Sydney, not just the northern beaches. The Bears are not in the NRL anymore so there is no club currently occupying this space.
oikee said | March 10th 2010 @ 1:41pm | Report comment
Mals, you know as well as me that the Bears are coming back and every last one of those northern supporters are going for the Bears. I dont mean for Manly to Move. No just link up with Sunshine coast Sea Egles. Play 3 games up north against the Queensland sides and whammo. You have made a motza. Sorry, i did not make that clearer for you.
I mentioned the other day there is no way that Manly ever fold. Its a team we all love to hate.
I was just thinking about upping your members and making more profit.