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There has been some scepticism in rugby league circles as to David Gallop’s proclamation that he will be the inaugural CEO for the ARL Commission.
Much of this scepticism has been due to fans frustration at the NRL’s scandals that have incurred under Gallops watch since he took over the job in 2002.
The 2004 Bulldogs Coffs Harbour scandal, the Bulldogs and Storm salary cap bomb shells, the litany of off field behaviour that plagued the NRL in 2009, and the exodus of players to other codes have given the perception that Gallop is not the man to lead rugby league into its bright new dawn.
Arguable the biggest grievance from fans is that Gallop was involved with the negotiating of the current under valued NRL TV broadcast deal. Had the NRL been paid its real worth, it’s very likely the dramas with the salary cap and player retention could have been avoided.
There is further frustration with the fact the Nine Network has been allowed to hoard games which have put a hand brake on the NRL’s growth in the southern states.
We should however look at what Gallop has managed to achieve, considering he is working under the current dysfunctional NRL leadership model. Remember, the current NRL structure was a hastily arranged ‘peace treaty’ to end the disastrous Super League war and has somehow managed to still control the game 13 years on.
The stricter policing of the salary cap in the last 10 years (despite the Bulldogs and Storm scandals) has produced the most competitive football code in the country which has lead to a steady increase in crowd figures and TV ratings up to today’s record figures.
The inclusion of the Gold Coast Titans has been a resounding success which has in turn fuelled much expansion optimism and debate.
The improvement in player off field behaviour in just one year has been remarkable and the NRL Indigenous/All Star game looks to have become an important part of the rugby league calendar.
Also the understanding of the importance of the next TV broadcast deal and the willingness to try new and proven methods to maximise revenue has lead to media predictions of the NRL earning $800 million to one billion, (even $800 million is $20 million more than the much envied current AFL deal).
One thing fans have not seemed to consider is that some suggest Gallop should not be the CEO of the ARL Commission because of his leadership with the current NRL administration, an administraion where News Ltd’s continual conflict of interest, the constant in fighting between News Ltd, the NSWRL, the QRL and the NRL clubs, and the fact Gallop has no control over rugby league’s crown jewel – the State of Origin, effectively means Gallop has had to lead the game with one hand tied behind his back.
How can we know what kind of performance he can deliver as CEO of an independent commission – where he and the commissioners will have complete independence in decision making, without the meddling of self interested parties – when he has never been afforded these luxuries?
It’s like suggesting Ferrari should not have given Michael Schumacher a chance to drive their formula one race car because he’d spent the last nine years driving a clapped out Datson.
To help guarantee independence, anyone who has held an official position with the ARL, NSWRL, QRL, CRL, News Ltd or any club in the past three years is ineligible to be a commission member. This leaves David Gallop as eligible, and as someone who has managed to grow the game under the current management structure he deserves a shot with the ARL Commission.
Let us reserve judgement until he has been given a chance to lead without the current restraints imposed upon him.
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