The CEO of the NRL, David Gallop, has resigned. The news doesn’t come as a complete shock to the rugby league fraternity, however the timing has surprised many.
The monumental news had attracted the odd whisper. However, few, if any, were aware that Gallop had decided to move on from the NRL so soon.
Whilst many fans, executives and media identities would have liked Gallop to resign, he always stood strong and gave the impression that he was going nowhere.
Just last month there were reports that he was growing tired of the high position he held in the game, yet Gallop refuted the stories swiftly.
When you’re in such a high profile position of power, there will naturally be detractors. It’s simply impossible to please everyone in a role such as Gallop’s. Yet, I personally think he did an outstanding job during his tenure as the boss of the NRL.
His job was not an easy one. Nor was it one for any individual light on mental toughness. He faced many hurdles, many issues and many enemies whilst running the game of rugby league. Yet he always fronted the media and never shied away from the tough questions.
In many regards, he became the face of rugby league when something went wrong, such was his propensity to ‘face the music’.
One of the aforementioned detractors was Phil ‘Gus Gould, who was never afraid to criticise Gallop via his media commitments in print, radio or TV. Gould once attacked Gallop on Channel’s 9 The Footy Show with such venom that one could only call it an ambush.
Yet Gallop remained cool under pressure, and attempted to answer Gould’s questions with integrity and professionalism. Even when he was being interrupted before finishing.
I’ll remember Gallop’s time with the NRL as a man that had one of the toughest, if not toughest, jobs in Australian sport, yet always maintained his dignity. He was respected. He made mistakes, but who of us hasn’t?
The biggest criticism of Gallop is that he didn’t always make the tough decisions. But that conveniently overlooks the fact that he didn’t always have the power to do so. It’s also inaccurate, as the Melbourne Storm, Brett Stewart and Todd Carney would certainly not think that Gallop was overly lenient.
Gallop leaves the game in a better place than when he took over. He also leaves respected by many.
He’ll be missed, but the game moves on.
And whilst I was a supporter of Gallop’s, the time may be ripe for a new type of leadership, working with the Independent Commission.
To David Gallop, I say, a job well done.
Now go and enjoy the rest of your life. You’ve earned it.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Grant is kicking butts,just as any head honcho does in the commercial world.Read the financial guff week in week out. if a business can be performing better,than it has,then the buck stops at the top.Ask Flower who headed the ARU. Grant is not only a former rugby league intnl winger,but a qualified Civil Engineer,who built up a $600m dollar IT business.I defy anyone to whinge about someone with that capcity,should not have an ego. Ego has landed,never heard of JON?And he was successful in business and at the helm of the ARU. If a person does not display some ego,he may as well be a follower/employee because he lacks confidence. I suggest every one who posts on these threads has a little ego,meaning they feel they can contribute something of worth.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Agree Renegade good to see a passionate man,on rugby league giving his all,regardless of the volume.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
That's called massive media exposure for rugby league in Melbourne LOL?
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
There were troubling signs for league SL days,this is a storm in a teacup,that will be forgotten when the new Sheriff rides into town.The code is doing more than OK. It just needs a dynamic leader with foresight.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
As the new TV rights are still in the throes of negotiation and much of it handled by Mattiske, suggests his(Gallop's) input has been rather limited.The fact the code has brought in experts, such as Calliburn to assist in what is a complicated process and involving all FTA Tv stations,indicates the code is going in all guns blazing. They want dynamism. What is the problem with hiring Samuels.Trust it is not a fear of the code securing a $1bn deal.The code hired Lek intially for preparatory work and advice.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I believe those in NZ have heard of him as well as PNG. Well teh rest of the counrtry(the 45%) have heard of him now JAJI.
Droppa
Guest
in all things quality is sacrificed for quantiity.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Wow, poor boys blue, you've been a busy boy! Apologies for not checking in earlier, but thank you very much for the comments.
poor boy blues
Guest
Lol. Ok. I just think he used to call the shots then once the commission came he had to take orders. He was on the outer. I think they always knew he would not be around for long. I think he knew that. Ten years is a long time. That's all there is to it and this happens a lot in business. But its novel when the public hears of it. it will be onward and upward from here. There are many good candidates mentioned who will be able to hit the ground running in the way the commission wants. As to grant: he rolls one way,gallop rolls another. Not exactly peas in a pod, Burr where gallop picks his staff i bet he must have lamented not picking his employer... I have full faith in grant. And did for gallop, for the time he was there. Now its time to move on in a new direction. So should the ceo go. The board will have its day in court. We owe them our support. While the same can't be said of grant to gallop, that's his call for his reasons and no one disagrees. Its not actually up for discussion, little birds
M-Rod
Guest
Gallop's departure comes on the back of the ACMA issue of Channel 9 commentators using NRL Coverage to promote political views on poker machine reform... a coincidence?... Its an egregious situation that Channel 9 holds the NRL brand in such contempt, that it can hijack its coverage to get to the NRL viewing demographic and push its political opinions. I'd like to think that Gallop went to the board to demand it tear-up Channel-9s contract... which precipitated his ousting.
uPelican
Guest
Running the soccer? Its basically Frank Lowy's hobby- and as we know, every billionaire is a genius on every subject, particularly in their hobby interests. John O'Neil couldn't stand it any longer and gave them the flick. Gallop will wake up five weeks later and say 'what have I done?' A wise man learns from his mistakes, but the wiser man learns from the mistakes of others
bbt
Guest
What I am suggesting, that, before speaking to the media, he owed the players, the coach, and club staff the courtesy of informing them of the decision. For them to find out via the media was disgraceful. They were besieged by reporters asking for comment, with no idea what had happened. Maybe not a face to face, but even a phone call or video conference call would have been the decent thing.
Renegade
Guest
Lol it must be weird when your in discussions with yourself and replying to your own posts haha Can't knock his effort and passion though - keep em coming poor boy blues!
Renegade
Guest
But they've heard of Ben Buckley have they lol....as if anywhere in the world there are headlines involving who is running the FFA. Wake up to yourself you twat.
Brainwashed
Guest
I hope this decision fast tracks the games expansion which Gallop was against or wanted to put off..Hopefully the new boss is a visionary and not reactive and we ditch channel 9 and get to Perth and 4th queensland team asap.
Australian Rules
Guest
Do have any sense of "contributing" to a thread...rather than dominating it?
Australian Rules
Guest
No Brian Waldron?
Poor Boy Blues
Guest
Having now read the SMH, I think Gallop was unfairly treated by a big margin. That the commission felt they had to work with him, being that he was forced upon them, rather than wanted to, is a massive thing. The toxicity that makes for in a working relationshipo is no good if it bursts out. Thankfully it was only 4 months. If thats the case, then today is the day the commission can begin appointing its own man, and they can unleash this new style they are talking about. If Grant is a dragon, whatever. Lets just hope he gets it right; and I see no reason to suggest why he won't. Obviously David will go onto brighter things for himself He wasn't pushed, so much as forced out, and agreed under the circumstances that "mutually" (by default to create that) it was time to go. Does not every one consider that in a new job situation? "If its crap, I won't be hanging around to cop it" people say to me. "So you should." I have faith in Grant. I am not doing his job, so I can't say why he would do what he did, but it seems like the right decision however you look at it. *****To have to make a harsh call, I would never allowed David to enter this harsh environment....I knew it would be difficult, everyone did; I do not know why they (news) insisted he take the job; **** to that end, for RL, this is great; as for David, its a pity, but he is the one who can smile and hold his head high. Its all ahead of Grant and his commission. Good luck to one and all.
Poor Boy Blues
Guest
well maybe I have been off the mark in some things. http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/loyal-servants-departure-wont-be-lamented-by-all-20120605-1zudr.html Grant would not be unfitting of the title. Sure sounds like Augustus Ceasar taking over the senate after having all its powers handed to him by them, and becoming emporer. Interesting times. The article labels the relationship between Gallop and Grant as one of "polar opposites" about views. Grant, a micromanager, coming into a system previously mainly autonomous. Who to believe, but in this new NRL maybe its just that there is a completely new way of doing things. Good on Gallop, though. It was a tough final leg. More reason to focus on all the positives.
Poor Boy Blues
Guest
While I have laid out what I think of gallops time as the head of the NRL pre commission, I also consider Grant to be a good commissioner. He did what was best, and this does not take away from Gallop what has been a great stint. If you need to look the following word up, do so, because I had to make sure myself it was the most apt and correct word to use. That this all thats been done is not a criticism of david gallop as a man or CEO, its merely an admonishment from the game itself; its time for change, and thats all. Thankyou though. via sydney morning herald, quote from Grant: "''If you look at the way the game and the NRL was run over 10 years, you have to say it was a reactive business,'' Grant told a packed 3.30pm press conference in the same room at Rugby League Central, where he had earlier announced Gallop's departure to stunned NRL staff. ''I think the business today and the business that has been in the last 10 years is very different to the business that is going to be going forward.''