After a 10-year reign at the top of the NRL, David Gallop has stepped down as CEO. Some will be sad to see him go, others will be celebrating and happy about his departure, like Phil Gould.
The lawyer, who served as News Limited’s Legal Affairs Manager during the Super League War, has been the boss of the NRL since February 2002.
During that time he has overseen a huge amount of change in the game, numerous crises and incidents, both on and off-field, as well as the establishment of the Independent Commission.
He has largely been a stabilising influence in a time of growth and great challenges.
Where next for the Canberra-born sports administrator?
There are two sports jobs that immediately come to mind: head of the A-League and CEO of the Australian Rugby Union.
Lyall Gorman has left the FFA to head up the new Western Sydney A-League club. The FFA is currently looking for Gorman’s replacement. Gallop could be a breath of fresh air in the stagnant boardroom of football’s governing body.
But Gallop has no background in the sport, so fans might not want to see another non-football person in a position of power.
John O’Neill will leave the ARU next year when his contract expires, and there appears to be no standout candidate to replace him within rugby. Following in O’Neill’s footsteps would be hard for Gallop but the ARU will definitely need an experienced and well-credentialed CEO to take the reins.
Gallop does have a background in rugby; he played the game at Canberra Grammar where he went to school. O’Neill has been a success in both football and rugby, and that cross-code success could pave the way for Gallop to take a role in either sport.
There is also the vacant CEO job of Basketball Australia, after Larry Sengstock resigned in April. Gallop could form a formidable team at the top of the hoops tree along with former NSW Premier Kristina Keneally, who is BA’s chairman.
Wherever he moves next, I’m betting that Gallop won’t be lost to the world of Australian sports administration.
Meesta Cool
Guest
In the words of Willie Shakespeare "Who giveth a shit"!!.. bye bye
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
He was on a figure of $650,000 thereabouts,have no idea where $400,000 came from.In fact his salry increased from that figure,which is why he recived a 1 year payout of $800,000.
asanchez
Roar Guru
Head of the A-league would be a good job for him. And it'd probably pay more than his role at the NRL, which was about $400k. Pretty sure Lyall Gorman was on that sort of cash if not more! I know he's not a football person, but he knows the Sydney sports market, and he wouldn't be running the whole code, just the league. I reckon he'd do a good job, and he'd had different ideas coming from another sport. Worth a shot I reckon...
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
He could become a player manager,Mr 7% and would no doubt secure a big stable of players from many codes.Contacts here there and everywhere.I see it now in bright lights "Galloper's Sport Management"
liquorbox_
Guest
he might just retire with his millions, or go back to being a Lawyer
The Cattery
Roar Guru
442 reporting rumours of Gallop going to FFA and Buckley going to North: http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/242015,buckley-hails-gallop-amid-exit-rumours.aspx
The Cattery
Roar Guru
I'm reading rumours on Twitter that North has offered Ben buckley their newly vacated CEO role, and that Lowy will offer Gallop buckley's job at teh FFA.
Johnno
Guest
David Gallop is a very good surfer , and does have cricket and rugby union background he went to canberra grammer school. SO maybe a CEO for an IPL franchise, or a T20 franchise in Australia. Melbourne stars.