NRL club bosses back expected Greenberg appointment

Todd Greenberg is expected to be announced as the new NRL CEO after a final round of interviews this week.

Greenberg’s appointment reportedly comes with the backing of NRL club bosses who are pleased to see someone with a Rugby League background taking over the position.

Dave Smith, who stepped down from the role late last year, was something of an outsider, coming into the role from the banking industry.

Greenberg, however, has extensive experience within the competition, having spent six years at the CEO of the Canterbury Bulldogs before joining the NRL as Smith’s deputy in 2013.

If the swirling media reports from all outlets are to be believed, it appears that Greenberg has beaten out his main competitor for the role, Accor Hotels COO Simon McGrath, who was reportedly given a final interview on Monday.

While many in the NRL have had conflicts with Greenberg in the past, particularly during his time as the Canterbury CEO, there seems to be a recognition in clubland that he is the best man for the job.

“We’ve all had disagreements with Todd over the years but he knows the game and is someone the clubs can work with,” one club chief exectuive told the Sydney Morning Herald.

No doubt the success of the new NRL bunker has also played a part in the decision to hand the game over to Greenberg.

Many baulked at the idea of a $2 million cost to improve the video referee technology at work in the NRL, but the concept has been successful and widely praised since coming into use.

Speaking of big costs, many are now questioning the NRL’s decision to spend $150,000 in their talent search to find the next NRL CEO.

There’s no doubt it was an exorbitant price to pay and a long time to leave the NRL without permanent leadership only to appoint the obvious candidate.

Once installed Greenberg’s first task will likely be to clean up the mess that is the Parramatta Eels salary cap scandal.