David Smith unexpectedly called full-time on his three-year NRL career at 11am on Tuesday. The banker-turned-NRL CEO made a few significant marks on the code during his tenure, but he will hardly be remembered as an Immortal.
Speaking personally, I won’t miss him for a moment. I was never entirely comfortable with a businessman in control of the game, especially one who never had an accurate take or appreciation of the code, its nuances, history, and long-held tenets and traditions.
I pretty much saw him as an alien in charge of a football code that has been a huge part of my life, privately and professionally.
Smith’s primary concern always seemed to be the bottom financial line, and that’s understandable given his extensive and impressive background as a banking guru. And, it must be said, rugby league has considerably improved its financial stocks since Smith began.
Well done on that score, sir, but there are other areas that have gone south under your leadership and there are clubs and fans who aren’t fussed by your exit three years into your multi-million dollar, five-year contract.
It is common knowledge that many of the 16 NRL clubs rated Smith’s leadership poorly. Some protested long and loud that he did not understand the game nor their predicaments. They claimed he was the wrong guy from day one as he never could and never would get the big picture.
But at least he wasn’t weak and ultimately saw that a serious rugby league man was needed as his offsider; Todd Greenberg was duly appointed.
There was heavy criticism of Smith’s handling of the billion-dollar-plus TV broadcasting deal. Getting Rupert Murdoch and his powerful company offside in a very public way wasn’t smart darts, but there is a good deal in place, and there is a chance it will get better with new blood at the top.
Under Smith, the game of rugby league lost its punch. Literally.
After Paul Gallen and Nate Myles’ fracas in a State of Origin game, a knee-jerk edict came down that those who threw a punch would be immediately banished to the sin bin. It wasn’t bad in theory, but in practice that law has led to widespread under-handedness on the field. Cynical face slaps, grubby, niggling tactics that might draw a penalty in the heat of battle and hopefully, a sin bin.
That decision by Smith and friends has taken a lot from rugby league (if some idiot is niggling away constantly, a bop on the chin will stop the rot quick-smart and the cheap shot merchants won’t be the stars on a weekly basis).
I will insert here that I am in favour of the NRL’s new head-bin strategy. Players who cop heavy head knocks in games are now placed under serious scrutiny and if their concussions are of a major nature, they take a mandatory week or two off.
I am all for that and, as an initiative under D. Smith’s rule, it warrants a big tick.
Queenslanders will probably be sad that Smith has departed. Many feel that he broke the perceived NSW-centric view taken previously by the NRLC. I won’t go there. Queenslanders can be a funny bunch.
We learnt today that NRL Commission Chairman John Grant will fill Smith’s position as interim CEO when he officially leaves on November 30. I’m unhappy about that.
What has John Grant done since he got his gig? Chaired a few dozen meetings, attended a few hundred functions, handed out trophies, shaken some sweaty footballers’ palms, along with make some outrageous and seriously premature statements about expansion.
I only wish Grant was joining Smith’s farewell party. If he has contributed something positive to rugby league from his lofty position, could somebody please tell me?
The hunt is now on for Smith’s successor. Names to succeed him include Todd Greenberg, Shane Richardson, Mark Coyne, Phil Gould and Jim Doyle.
The company charged with fielding candidates for the CEO job is Signium International, and I am told there will be a worldwide hunt for the new Numero Uno.
I can only hope Signium has been briefed appropriately.
Bean counters are out. Rugby league in this country is craving a shrewd and savvy head administrator who understands the NRL from top to toe.
If I had an early vote, I would be pushing hard for Shane Richardson as CEO, with the talented Greenberg as his right-hand man.
db swannie
Guest
Tim claims he loves RL . Where was your outrage at News Ltd stooge Gallop underselling the TV rights to his master in the previous deal .
no one in particular
Roar Guru
"if we can’t match the AFL or get very close it has been sold below market value." Will never happen. AFL will also go for more because more ads can be sold during the game
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I have zero idea where you got the idea I was name calling on this thread GI . i mentioned one name (and BTW I should have stated his name as Neil Whittaker not Neville).Never stated we need bankers not football people. In fact I was and still am a fan of Quayle >if I had a choice if my name was John Grant he would have been my first pick.I would give Mark Coyne a go. We also had a rugby league man,that nearly killed off the game in this country via Super league (John Ribot).And we have had NRL and NSWRL clubs run by rugby league people and nearly drove them out the door.Sharks being one and I've spent decades of highs and lows due to incompetence of non business like management. Mate you completely overlook the fact that a rugby league man the chairman John Grant,and the likes of Samuels and the Board decided the FTA/ Pay split.It was not just Smith,yes I know the buck stops with him.He did not do the negotiations on his Pat Malone. In fact another member of the board whose name escapes me has an advertising background and he also was involved in negotiations. The NRL admin have rl inclined people who look after the general running of the game Greenburg and Richhardson. Please GI the NRL like the AFL is a business and needs to be run along business lines.Else we may as well follow the West Tigers modus operandi .This is not the 80s or early 90s,we have strong competition from other codes,of course the clubs must have interest and say and by a decent majority they can flick board members. I'm convinced you are unaware of just who from the NRL side was involved in the negotiations ,by the simple fact you are putting all the emphasis on Smith alone.
Von Neumann
Roar Guru
Tim you couldn't be more wrong. I'm surprised to see this even from you
alicesprings
Guest
The figures can be cut any way to suit. Traditionally NRL has rated much stronger on PTV while AFL has rated stronger on FTA. The last fews years this has been slowly reversing. As of today AFL has 11 of the top 20 on Fox(NRL has 6)…this used to be the NRL's domain. The AFL used to have the most watched games on FTA…now this is the NRL crown. There is no doubt that it is in the interest of both codes to have maximum exposure on FTA, if they can also get the coin for it then thats a bonus. At the end of the day 27 of the top 40 matches across all four codes this year are AFL matches. Hence why they get more coin. If the NRL is to increase its market share it must expand. Perth and Brisbane II are so obvious its not funny.
Kirk
Guest
"However, free to air coupled with satellite is watched by many more AFL supporters than NRL Australia wide ! It has to be, as Aussies rules is all pervasive in Vic, Tas, WA, SA, NT. That’s more than 2/3 of population . Plus Aussie Rules has a big following in SE Queensland ." It has to be, but it's not. NRL on cable TV has smashed AFL for years up until recently. FTA is very evenly matched as well due to the much bigger regional populations in NSW and QLD. AFL is much better attended than the NRL but it doesn't rate higher on TV and never has.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
The thing about the 'knee jerk' reactions regarding rule changes - shoulder charges etc - is that they can be tinkered with and fixed quite easily. Issues like club governance and broadcast representation and so on are much longer term ones and in many senses are far, far more important than a few rule changes. Many cannot see the value Smith brought to the role of CEO because they are caught up in the little things.
Glenn Innes
Guest
Crosscoder = Well mate lets see what final figure comes in before we start the name callIng.."No football people we need bankers". the bright sparks that gave us the GFC AND BURNT TRILLIONS OF SHAREHOLDERS AND TAXPAYERS MONEY, there the kind of people we need .Interesting that Smith lobbed here post GFC post banking career.. Given that Rugby League has at least the same level of interest in Australia as AFL does; if we can't match the AFL or get very close it has been sold below market value. It is obvious somebody else is now going to have to clean the dogs breakfast left behind by Smith and try and salvage something from the wreck of selling the fourth game to nine way too cheaply. Foxtel needed that game way more than nine did,he had to hold his nerve, but he blinked and cocked it up. Wet behind ears banker playing a game he has no background in , pricing media content and negotiating media rights is not a bog part of banking. If you want to go outside Rugby League get someone with a sales, media, advertising background who also understands the nuances of the Australian media market. Also you need someone prepared to live within the limitations of the role.The NRL is NOT a business.It is not a public company owned by shareholders and traded on the stock market like Westfarmers or Dominos. and it is not a private company like say visy,that exists to put money in the pocket of private investors.The NRL was a business when News owned it, but under the current structure it is not It is a collectivist orginization, the closest it comes to owners are the sixteen clubs as they supply the product that generates the revenue and they are a mixture of private franchises and community based sporting clubs.To achieve anything you need the support of the majority of the clubs, without that you are a dead man walking,so you need someone who can work with the clubs.
Tim Prentice
Expert
Pete: why do we bother? I wrote an opinion piece, a column. In the comments section I suggested Shane Richardson would be my choice as D Smith's replacement. That's an opinion, champion. And you can call me a cowboy all you like. It's pretty fashionable these days. Thanks for contributing.
pete bloor
Guest
The guy is still buying dictionaries, nit opening them though unfortunately.
pete bloor
Guest
Wait minute I thought you said you offered up facts from others but now it is your own opinion? Maybe I should check the dictionary (they are free online by the way) as I thought facts were distinctly different to opinions? You also kicked the personal sledging off but given the lack of ethical consideration that you repeatedly display I'd hardly expect you to acknowledge that. I'll do you a deal I'll write something constructive with regards to your opinion pieces when you don't attack readers for their comprehension when it was a failing in your writing that you easily could have rectified by say "to be clear that was someone else's opinion". If you look back up the thread cowboy you'll see that.
Really
Guest
Dicey figures at best ! You are aware that AFL is broadcast on terrestrial TV ( free to air) ? Also, most AFL supporters attend matches, unlike NRL supporters ! Yes the State of Orgin is awesome and has great viewing stats, which in essence is the main thing keeping the game going ! Why is the NRL poorly attended you may ask ? Well , after moving to Queensland 6 months ago , I realize that there are many wonderful outdoor offerings which make going to the footy secondary . It's the same in Sydney, they have better things to do most the time ! Being originally from Melbourne, there is f all to do for 6 months of the year . However, free to air coupled with satellite is watched by many more AFL supporters than NRL Australia wide ! It has to be, as Aussies rules is all pervasive in Vic, Tas, WA, SA, NT. That's more than 2/3 of population . Plus Aussie Rules has a big following in SE Queensland .
Really
Guest
Yes you are correct, but Dominoes is a franchise run under the auspices of corporate America. On the pizza front, most owners and entrepreneurs are fanatical about making quality ( pizzas) ! Leadership, innovation , business development is written in the franchise manual they give you ! Corporate people like Gallop aren't leaders, they are game players who grow in very structured environments. Remember, the bigger the title , the bigger the Pleb ! CEO ,, President, Vice President ........blah blah, blah. Now, business owners and/or entrepreneurs are a different breed altogether - they are driven and think outside the box . Gallop is a typical corporate yes man who reports to his employers/ board for approval - this time however they shafted him because he couldn't cut it ! Maybe Gallop should get a "Jim's"mowing round ?
up in the north
Roar Rookie
I love Tommy but there's no way I would make him responsible for a kids lunch money let alone the NRL.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Shoulder charge rule was a necessity because of moronic players. Too many dangerous shoulder charges lead to it being banned completely by necessity. If players were intelligent to realise that jumping into a tackle would likely lead to head contact the ban wouldn't have been necessary. But again why do people believe senior NRL staff like Greenberg and Smith were not consulted in this decision?
The Magic Man
Roar Rookie
I don't get this love for David Gallop... I recall he scored half the deal the AFL got yet News Ltd journos kept telling us how good he was doing and "be careful what you wish for". He was the captain for underselling a TV deal where at the time Free to Air only scored 2 games per week. Talk about a complete lack of exposure! Gallop was the knee jerk champion for just about any issue and under his reign the NRL continued to basically tread water. We were told he was hamstrung by the clubs and News Ltd and under a new "Independant Commission" Gallop would be able to show his true colours. Now the potential A League juggernaught under his audacious stewardship, with the complete support of Frank Lowy is clearly receding like a tide, this in spite of the wonderful Asian Cup results on home soil. I'd take Smith's record over Gallop any day. Dave Smith's biggest crime was upsetting the NRL clubs. But that's a big tick for me, because these same clubs for many years have been what is wrong wth the code in this country. Holding the game back for their own self interests and now trying to hold the game to ransom by demanding more cash so they can spend more cash. Instead of an Independant Commission it seems that what NRL clubs really wanted was a "Compromised Commission". Smith took everyone on and has now got the real fans 4 free to air games each week via the Channel 9 deal. The richest Free to Air deal ever and almost equivalent for what League was gettting for both Free to Air and Pay TV. Oh and this ticked Rupert Murdoch off. Old Rupert was angry and in his rage he dropped a stack of cash on the AFL's doorstep without them having to ask. That sounds more like ego than smarts to me. Oh you don't want to make Rupert angry. It's like this bloke is God or something. Sounds more like a dude that's lost focus and let his emotion get in the way of making a salient decision. Good luck to the AFL. RIght place at the right time. Eventually News will have to pay for the NRL as well. Everyone knows it or Foxtel is committing a bloodletting suicide in NSW and Queensland. I'm not a fan of the punch rule and I think the shoulder charge rule could have been simplified but that's the opinion of me, and like me Dave Smith was entitled to his opinion and was in the position to implement it. For me Dave Smith was clearly the best Rugby League leader since Arko and Quayle. Not perfect by any means, but most of the critical rubbish thrown at him is very much personal agenda based.
Phill
Guest
Spot on Kirk! some people here are moronic, though I think they are just more agenda driven because success in the game means less teams in Syd, and they just can't stand the thought of that. They would rather halt the growth, hurt the game than reduce Syd control.
bbt
Guest
Spot on!! Growing the game requires exposure. Foxtel will not give the NRL exposure.
Kirk
Guest
Yeah, except I doubt the CEO of Dominos has a passion for pizza's. He would more likely have a passion for leadership, innovation and business development.
Kirk
Guest
how dare the pommy Smith try and bring better business practices to the NRL. It's footy mate, just bring back the biff and she'll be right!