The boss of the NRL does not quit eight days before the biggest game of the year without a very good reason.
The real story behind the story will be fascinating reading as it is played out.
The NRL Commission would like all the focus on the big State of Origin game II to be played at ANZ, which is a sudden death match for NSW if they are defeated by Queensland.
Instead the Gallop resignation will capture all the headlines.
The timing would certainly not be the preferred choice of the Commission unless they have an untenable reason.
What is it?
It is common knowledge that Gallop and Commission Chairman John Grant did not swap Easter eggs, and that he found the entire Commission hard to work with.
The mail from the café, only a drop kick away from NRL Central, is that Gallop found the Commission members to be very opinionated and difficult to influence.
All that innuendo is well and good but that does not explain the timing.
Gallop had recently signed a multi-million dollar four year contract. If all was not well, and a parting of the ways was imminent, then surely after the final Origin game was played would have been the time to go. Why now?
Was it Gallop’s secret meeting to discuss refereeing with Freddy Fitter that set off a fuse?
The big plunge on the Melbourne Storm days before the formal announcement that they would become wooden spooners has never been explained.
It is also known that Gallop has many Player Managers “offside”, who had first-hand knowledge of many deals that were done including the controversial Gold Coast Titans.
Because the real reason behind Gallop leaving the NRL is unknown, sadly, we will be guaranteed of sustained media before and after next Wednesday night, robbing Origin II of valuable publicity.
The line by John Grant that the NRL need a “Fresh approach going forward” does not cut the mustard with what looks to be a sacking, rather than a simple resignation.
Ian
Guest
I would expect his settlement would have come with a non-disclosure agreement to prevent this.
Ronnie the Eel
Guest
a la Craig Thompson.......
Ronnie the Eel
Guest
lol..... maybe he can still do a better job......
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Scott . Wayne is not there now on Fox.As far as I am concerned the guy is one of the real straight shooters in the game.He is in fact a "junior"(excuse the pun) member of the Commish.One of 8. If you in all honesty believe Wayne has any influence on the Tv deal,when Mattiske/Lek and now Calliburn are the main dealers,then I am to use a Mossopism (flabbergasted).You can' t be serious. The fact the code has received the offers from 9 and Foxtel,and now getting offers from 7 and 10,suggests to me the only influence Wayne has on negotiations,is saying hello to the people who currently work on Foxsports,in a lift. Ask yourself who negotiated the last Tv deal? Was it value for money? Did the negotiating work for two partners,one of whom owned a TV station involved?.The answer my friend is blowing in the wind,apologies to Bob Dylan and friends.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Crosscoder You say "Any managerial links with a media organisation have now been lifted." What is Wayne Pearce? He was still working for Fox when he was recruited onto the commish. Wonder how many calls he has had from Execs about the TV contract?
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Pot AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou has set a very high bar and who ever it is that takes over must be at that level. There is no one within the NRL and the only guy mention that comes close is Mark Arbib, but they probably want get him.
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.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
What is wrong with John Fahey former State premier,former Canterbury Rugby League player,head of World Sport Drug Commission. Gallop did a good job,in trying times after the SL debacle,well respected and available to media at any time.He put up with a lot of crapola during his tenure,and did not waiver from his views. That being stated the feeliingI I get and also from friends,comes across as not being the strong promotional type,lacking the hard nose business aggression needed in a highly charged competitive sporting climate.The ums and aahs when interviewed comes across to the listener as being loaded with uncertainty.It was considered a no no ,at my high school. The SL assoc left a mark,as did some reactionary moments such as the Wagga money handouts and the money associated with Sport Betting agencies which the racing industry got on board earlier. I also have a faint suspicion,that the last Tv deal and/or the current one(with Gallop involved) may be negotiated too much on a buddy buddy basis,and that is why the ARLC called in an expert organisation to negotiate.Let's face it the last deal,even acknowledged by many media was hardly commensurate with the TV ratings achieved over the years. Grant may not appear to some as being the nice guy,but in fact a guy who is prepared to kick butts to get a result..And guess what ! The code needs someone who kicks butts as ,patting people on the back all the time makes plenty of friends .but few unpopular decisions.Decisions pertaining to Salary cap scandals,off field dramas,which any CEO would naturally attend to,as part of his remit. . In this tough economic climate every one has to perform,and should be judged thus.If a CEO finds it difficult to operate under those guidelines,work in a cushy job . Any managerial links with a media organisation have now been lifted.News only involved with the Storm and the Broncos. New administration,new broom,new CEO,it happens in business all the time.Remember the three amigos at Telstra? Unless the code calls back that famous cyclist David Moffett,who commented to me once on a particular matter on talkback radio"It's too hard".I nearly fell over.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
He visted Singapore for an RLIF meeting not that long ago,so hardly think exotic places were out of his reach in rugby league.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Fair enough - we'll wait and see. Grant was hardly glowing of Gallop at the press conference. Talking about being reactive and moving forward without baggage, etc. Can I ask - how you know 'for a fact that Gallop was not leaving the night before.' The emphasis is on the word fact.
nice
Guest
gday bucket head, i'd say the real reason is that he is a star league mole. bring back quayle and arko.
MemberforDobellforCEOofARLC
Guest
Mate never say never O'neil likes his tucker in fact it is expensive living in the lower north shore of Sydney especially cause he might on the end at the ARU and having dinner at Ilperigino ...btw stunning restaurant BYO still exy but good in Mosman... SCOTT I think oneil is a possibility
Pot Stirrer
Guest
I think the reason he is leaving now is becuase the position is untenable to a bloke who has basicaly had full control and now needs the IC’s approval before he can do anything making him nothing more than a Media Manager . Why have a CEO when the IC is clearly going to make all the big calls. I think the current caretaker CEO wil end up in the job full time if he is brave enough to take it on fulltime
Pot Stirrer
Guest
I think the reason he is leaving now is becuase the position is untenable to a bloke who has basicaly had full control and now needs the IC's approval before he can do anything making him nothing more than a Media Manager . Why have a CEO when the IC is clearly going to make all the big calls. I think the current caretaker CEO wil end up in the job full time if he is brave enough to take it on fulltime
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
BA Sports Thats not good enough to punt on such a big day. Its bigger.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Big G There is a stand out if they want to get him. The former Federal Sports Minister Mark Arbib. Aside from being a "kick ass" type, he has a brilliant mind and was the guy who led the discussions with all the corporate bookies in the product fee discussion which is crucial for the NRL.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
The Barry I appreciate that you dont know me, but if you did you would know that I would not have written this if there was not a good reason. When John Grant spoke he treated every like an idiot. I know for a fact that Gallop was not leaving the night before. It was always going to happen, and Grant got some ammo to fast track it. We need to know what that was. I am sure you will find out soon. Baz, the Qld Maroons announced their team on the same day and the Origin is on next wed., no Chairman with any intellect would sack his CEO on that day unless he had a very very good reason.
B.A Sports
Guest
Why now? Well the one big ticket item that is "in progress" is the media deal. Things like expansion, player manegers etc are always on the go, so you wouldn't punt him (which is what happened) if this was simply a disagreement over one of these issues, mid-season while all the focus should be on Origin. But the media deal is the crux of everything and is in the hearrt of the negotiation process. So if I were to speculate, the Commission have a certain expectation from these deals, Gallop has a feel for what he thinks will be achievable and they might be polls apart.
peeeko
Roar Guru
cronulla leagues club , momentaritly known a "sharks international" will be come one of the biggest entertainment venues in the southern hemisphere
peeeko
Roar Guru
dont waste your breath with him Planko, he writes the same comments about manly and cronulla everyday