When a new Chairperson is appointed to any company, it is not uncommon for there to be a change in Chief Executive Officer.
For some reason however, I was still shocked when it was announced yesterday afternoon that CEO of the NRL, Todd Greenberg would be stepping down effective immediately.
I’m not sure why I was so shocked. Greenberg has been ruthlessly pursued in the media over the last month and the papers have been rife with speculation about his role.
The pursuit has been relentless and has left many questioning why Greenberg was so on the nose particularly when he was so proactive about pushing relentlessly to bring the game back to screens as soon as possible.
But rugby league is a political game and perhaps yesterday was simply a demonstration of the strength of some of rugby league’s powerbrokers.
Greenberg was not a perfect administrator. But no administrator is.
There was controversy surrounding his handling of various indiscretions committed by former player Ben Barba, while Greenberg was CEO at the Canterbury Bulldogs.
In recent weeks, there has also been criticism of the size of the workforce at NRLHQ and comparisons to the amount of staff at NRLHG versus the EPL (although I’m not sure whether that is an appropriate comparison given the number of development officers employed by the NRL and a lack of clarity as to whether that number includes staff at NSWRL and QRL).
However, when I reflect on the legacy of Greenberg, I see plenty of positives and think that he can certainly be proud of a job well done.
Todd Greenberg. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
There has been plenty of criticism of the way the NRL has handled its money, but this year the NRL posted its second straight surplus over $30 million which allowed a $10 million investment in grassroots rugby league.
The game has been innovative and taken the sport to new parts of the country. While prior to Greenberg, there had been plenty of discussion about moving State of Origin to other states, we saw a game moved to Perth last year with an intention to play a game in Adelaide this year, had COVID-19 not occurred.
He was never in the back pocket of the media. He spoke his mind and made time for fans when he could. I recall him and Peter Beattie doing ‘fan first’ forums at several games, where the two men would appear together in front of the fans and simply take their questions.
When it comes to the rugby league family, Greenberg also made a significant contribution. Touch football officially became part of the rugby league family, creating a much clearer pathway for those players wanting to transition from one form of rugby league to another.
The international game has also gone from strength to strength. While this, of course, is not solely due to Greenberg, to see the support the NRL has given to the international game in the last two years has been positive and has shown people how exciting and compelling the international game can be if the various Federations ‘buy in’.
Todd Greenberg at the launch of the NRL Bunker. (The Roar)
The game has also become more inclusive under Greenberg’s watch. I reflect on so many special moments, but perhaps none more special than the decision to have Macklemore play at the NRL grand final in 2018 in front of signage which put the NRL’s values of inclusivity and diversity on show.
But for me, his greatest achievement of all will be the strides that the women’s game has taken. In the last three years we have seen names like Kezie Apps, Sammy Bremner, Ruan Sims and Ali Brigginshaw skyrocket into popularity.
The women’s game has its own established competition, a stand-alone State of Origin and people now recognise just how talented these women are.
But most importantly there has been a real sense that the NRL has created the competition with the players’ views at the forefront. The women’s game is a jewel in the NRL’s crown and I will always be indebted to Greenberg for his leadership in this space.
Chelsea Baker of the Broncos (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Greenberg was someone I considered a friend.
The thing I appreciated the most about Greenberg was that he was an ordinary man who loved rugby league.
I’ll never forget the first stand-alone women’s NRL Premiership match held at Leichhardt Oval. Whilst many watched on from the NRL box at the top of the Norm Robinson Stand, Greenberg watched from the hill.
He sat on the grass enjoying the spectacle just like any other fan would. The game brought him plenty of joy and I am genuinely grateful to him for his service to our game.
I wish him well. I thank him for his leadership, advocacy and passion for rugby league.
Tomorrow may well be the first day in seven years, that Greenberg can sleep in and wake up without thinking about rugby league. I hope he enjoys that moment and can reflect on the legacy that he left behind.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Sounds great for Greenberg , doesn't matter if he comes up with a bad idea , he can always blame it on the board if it doesn't work out. I haven't heard him doing that though , more the opposite by accepting personal responsibility. Valandy's, luckily for me as an Eagles supporter is wisely pushing for NRL to be played at suburban grounds like Brooky which is an opposite approach to Greenberg. Where is the boards involvement in these decisions? All of a sudden they have woken up to themselves or are they rubber stamping what the boss wants, as the evidence indicates?
Nat
Roar Guru
I agree. It'll still be fodder for the 'I told yo so' crowd.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Oh that’s hurtful lol
Nick
Roar Guru
If that’s the way it worked then all the commission has done is rubber stamped his irrational decisions. Unlikely. Yes men on boards tend not to last long - especially if a CEO doesn't have the wholehearted support of a board to begin with. You need to cajole the Chair. As if they were going to challenge them. So...how is that Greenberg's fault? If that is true that is obviously the fault of a weak and limp board, not Greenberg. I'd sack each remaining board member (particularly, Beattie) for not exercising the roles and responsibilities of a board member appropriately - namely to challenge, advise and counsel the CEO. Picking and choosing which players to stand down and effectively playing god with players and clubs lives without any explanation was going to bite him at some stage. Yes, but again...the board delegated that authority to him. They just as easily could have taken it away. He has designed and endorsed the policy and was never trying to hide that the buck stops with him. Half right. The other half is wrong. He designed the policy, but he did not endorse it. That is the board's decision. I sit on a board. They rarely if ever rubber stamp decisions of the executive. They might support the decision, but they will ask questions and they will challenge.
Nick
Roar Guru
Just not a diversity in "unqualified and unsubstantiated opinion" to be more accurate.
Walter Black
Guest
The 28th is an earliest start date. A date for everyone to aim for, the clubs to plan for and a date to discuss with Government. Its a date to discuss with the TV companies to get agreements in place and shedules in place and to get the warriors over here. Its an earliest planned date and if he ends up missing by 1, 2 or even 3 weeks, he will have achieved far more than anyone could have imagined a month ago.
Walter Black
Guest
Problem is that in times like this, most people look at saving the pennies and reducing expenditure rather than maximisation of the top line. Now is the time to be thinking about growth and expansion and whilst fixing the obvious problems with the piggy bank we should be looking at how we can exploit our position as the first to get live sport going again. What value would UK and US tv stations put on that ? I don't know the answer but if we do get back on the 28th, I hope someone is looking and how we exploit it.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
If that's the way it worked then all the commission has done is rubber stamped his irrational decisions. As if they were going to challenge them. Picking and choosing which players to stand down and effectively playing god with players and clubs lives without any explanation was going to bite him at some stage. He has designed and endorsed the policy and was never trying to hide that the buck stops with him.
1.5 metres please
Guest
Just not a diversity in opinion hey phobeman.
1.5 metres please
Guest
For someone who continually attempts to display a level of moral and intellectual superiority, you’ve certainly managed to demonstrate that possess neither with that response. Keep YOUR words in YOUR mouth O.M.
1.5 metres please
Guest
I doubt very much that you think.
Nick
Roar Guru
Yes, because inviting Macklemore to sing at a GF is why junior leagues are battling to stay afloat....
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Me a lefty? Just get over it mate. Embrace diversity. You’ll be a better person for it.
boonboon
Roar Pro
Im a nationals voter and an ex Lib member and still think your a homophobe does that help
1.5 metres please
Guest
So to have an opinion different to yours is a phobia? Spoken like a true leefty.
1.5 metres please
Guest
The roars resident expert on everything has spoken , the great obtuse moose . I’m sure you’re all over the dire situation of junior league, and the fact that the AFL is about to lap it for the fourth time . But I dare say your unable to see the ground from way up there in your ivory tower .
Nat
Roar Guru
If nothing else he has his put his balls out there. As of right now he's achieved nothing. If the 28th turns out to be too soon, he'll get pillared for that. The next CEO will be totally on his shoulders. His media chums will turn pretty quick if all the best laid plans don't come through.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Greenberg has gone so the question is simple. Is V’landys his own man or in the pockets of nine, fox and the clubs? If it’s the latter the game is stuffed. If it’s the former we are in for a hell of a ride. As for Greenberg. He was a sound ceo devoured by the clueless media and club bosses who can’t see beyond next week let alone next year.
Nick
Roar Guru
Recommending the liquidation of a future fund for a white elephant digital product sits entirely on him though.
Nick
Roar Guru
"Giving himself the power to stand charged players down". Should actually read..."the ARLC commission approving the recommendation of the NRL CEO to unilaterally stand players down"... There's blaming Greenberg, sure, but there also needs to be an acknowledgement of actual process. Greenberg didn't have dictatorial powers like people think he did.