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NRL CEO Dave Smith has quit as head of the league after three years in the job.
ARL Commission Chairman John Grant will take over as interim boss until a replacement can be found.
ARLSmith has insisted up until the last couple of weeks that he would not quit as boss of the code, but Phil Rothfield of the Telegraph is reporting that tension over the NRL broadcast agreement has forced him out of the role.
Smith has already locked in up to $925 million worth of broadcast agreements with free-to-air network Channel Nine, which will see four games a week televised free around Australia from 2018 onwards.
In doing so, however, he put Fox Sports, the NRL’s longstanding pay TV partner, offside.
The Daily Telegraph‘s Phil Rothfield reports key executives will no longer negotiate with Smith.
Smith thanked his staff and the ARL Commission in his statement on Tuesday.
“Rugby League is a fantastic game with wonderful people involved at every level and it has been a privilege to lead the game,” Smith said.
“Together with the ARLC, the 16 NRL Clubs and the State Leagues we have made significant progress in modernising Rugby League and, having assessed our progress and year end position, it is clear we now have the foundations in place for long term success.
“We have secured the biggest free-to-air broadcast deal in our history, $1.6 billion for investment in Rugby League stadiums and a financial platform that includes a sustainability fund of $50m and a surplus of $100m that is progressively being invested back into the game, and a 48% increase in non-broadcast revenue.
“We are consistently enjoying record breaking Origin and finals series and we have grown significantly with more than 300,000 fans converted into club members; new pathways for elite, recreational and female players; the biggest digital profile and reach of any sport in Australia; and we’ve introduced some new products such as the Auckland Nines and World Cup Challenge.
“Importantly we’ve also set new, higher standards when it comes to our brand, reputation and integrity which will solidify our growth. The game is now safer, more in line with community expectations and just as exciting for fans,” he said.
“I’ve been a change agent for most of my career and the time has come for me to handover to a new leader to consolidate these gains and I finish with pride in the game’s achievements.
“I’d like to thank John Grant and the Commissioners for their first class leadership and ongoing support, as well as the support I’ve received from the NRL Clubs and State Leagues,” Smith said.
“And I want to thank, in particular, all the NRL staff who work so hard to make this game so successful.”
Smith came into the role of NRL boss with a background in banking, and a mandate to shore up the financial status of the game.
While he was often criticised as having a lack of knowledge about the game, characterised by his ‘Benji Barba’ gaffe early on in his stint, he was praised for his shrewdness in dealing with stakeholders and planning.
Some of the achievements in the three years include the incredible growth of State of Origin, the implementation and growth of the pre-season Auckland Nines Tournament, which has proven to be a massive hit with fans, and the founding of the NRL’s integrity unit to investigate instances of poor behaviour by players and officials.
The NRL also announced a surplus of almost $50 million for 2014.
However, crowd numbers continue to be an issue for the game, despite Smith’s efforts to boost both membership and the game-day experience during his tenure. He has also let the issue of expansion largely go unaddressed, with fans no closer to knowing who will enter the competition, and when.
ARLC John Grant said the league is better off for having Dave Smith as the CEO for the last three years.
“Dave has been a wonderful leader and change agent for our game,” Grant said.
“We all understood that it would take between three to five years to effect meaningful change and to build the platforms from which the game could continue to grow and succeed.
“We are now financially strong, organisationally sound and have strengthened the game’s connection to the fans.
“On behalf of the whole Rugby League community I want to thank Dave for his tenacity, hard work and the momentum he has started to help our game become the most entertaining, engaging and respected sport,” Grant said.
“The business is in good shape for the incoming CEO and it’s a very exciting time for all of us as part of rugby league… we are ready to move into the next phase.”
Signium International will oversee recruitment process for a new Chief Executive, which will include both internal and external candidates.
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