Peter V’landys insists he has no intentions of leaving rugby league once the NRL returns to the field later in May.
ARL Commission chairman V’landys has shot down suggestions he will quit the sport once it returns from the coronavirus crisis.
V’landys has been in the sport’s top job for just over six months, but has overseen the game through its toughest period with the first-ever suspension of the NRL.
The code is set to become the first in Australia to resume on May 28, with V’landys also on the verge of securing an extended television deal reported to be worth $2 billion.
That will be significant, given V’landys claimed in March that the coronavirus shutdown threatened to have a “catastrophic” impact on the game’s finances.
It’s also come at a time where he has stayed on as chief executive of Racing NSW, where horses have also remained on the track during the global pandemic.
V’landys’ success in returning the NRL to the field had prompted the suggestion he could walk away from the game with nothing left to achieve, but he insisted that wasn’t the case.
“I’m not walking away from the game,” V’landys told The Courier-Mail.
“What I have said is that I have an attitude that I owe the game a debt for what it has given me in my life.
“At some point in my time here, I will have repaid the debt, but that debt hasn’t been paid yet.”
His brief time in charge has also seen significant on-field change, with the move to one referee and the introduction of the captain’s challenge both coming from him.
V’landys labelled stabilising the game and resetting its cost structure as the goals he still wished to achieve.
Part of that will include appointing a new chief executive after Todd Greenberg was ousted last month.
V’landys and his board are in no rush to find a replacement, with Andrew Abdo still the front runner as the current interim boss.
V’landys himself has constantly said he has no interest in taking on an executive director role.
Martin Millard
Roar Pro
I thought that his comments on expansion were pretty off point to Rugby Leagues ambitions but he is very much a realist and his leadership in risky times for the sport has been invaluable. Unlike Greenberg he doesn't seem to care if he is liked or not which is very necessary in Rugby League because almost every decision is split 50-50. I don't think he would take the job due to his other commitments but if he did I personally think he would be an excellent choice
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Part of his legacy will be no doubt locking the NRL into a reduction in revenue for 5 future seasons after the COVID19 impacted current season.
WarrenBungles
Guest
Greenburg/ Legacy ? Mmmmm amusing.
Walter Black
Guest
Hi Nat, I think he was referring to the CEO role when he said that.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Agree John. I hope he's not lost to Rugba League. He's effective, gets things done and he loves the game as well. Unlike a previous chairman also called Peter.
Walter Black
Guest
He is NSW Racing CEO not Victoria's hence he doesn't give a rats about the Melbourne Cup . Quite frankly, I like that about him. Rugby League has played second fiddle to just about everyone for far too long. Origin clashes with 20:20 Cricket then so what ? As long as he does what is best for our sport then I don't care too much what he does.
Paul
Roar Guru
I get that he's a busy man Max, but he knew what he was in for when he took on the role and he's clearly a highly capable administrator if he can successfully manage two such demanding positions. Once the game is going again, I'd have thought it would be relatively quieter, certainly on the Chairman, once a full-time CEO is in place, so he would have way more time to both enjoy the results of his work and also try and steer the game in what ever direction he and the Board think is appropriate.
Paul
Roar Guru
fair enough Nat, but now he’s in it, I’m sure he’ll want to see it through as he’s already pointed out. Guys at his level have pretty impressive egos in my experience and they hate to leave things half done – well maybe with the exception of a certain orange haired bloke who lives in white painted mansion, but I won’t go there. :stoked: :stoked:
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
His "track record" (pun intended) in Harness Racing & The Thoroughbreds is imposing. Without his guidance I doubt whether the May 28 resumption would have been achieved. Not everyone has agreed with his input however effective leaders are remembered for their achievements rather than their popularity.
DAVEC
Roar Rookie
isn't this the guy who wants to change the day of the Melbourne cup imagine what he will do to league
Nat
Roar Guru
I've heard him say he never wanted the job in the first place.
Walter Black
Guest
Thanks Paul
Max power
Guest
Because he’s also racing NSW CEO He’s chairman of NRL Which shouldn’t be a full time role
Paul
Roar Guru
Not living on the east coast, this sounds & smells like a click bait story. Why would a guy come into a job, get the game going again, then leave in well under a year? The whole idea makes no sense, unless of course, he was doing a lousy job - which he isn't.
Paul
Roar Guru
really sound comment, Walter
Walter Black
Guest
I think that the complete over reaction to every little decision that is made needs to stop. We cannot run a multi million dollar business by committee and everyone in the game needs to learn that at times you just have to lump it. We have to stop questioning every little decision. Flu jabs, referrees, 6 again are these all issues of earth shattering proportions ? - No they are not. Its 1 flu jab for 1 year and if one ref doesn't work then we go back to 2 and ditto 6 again. Vlandy's has been critisised for his "Alarmist Rhetoric" phrase but gee with some of these reactions the phrase fits. The NRL has elected a committee and a CEO (albiet an interim one) to make decisions for the good of the game and its time we started trusting those decisions.
Walter Black
Guest
Good I am very impressed with him so far.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The contrast between his legacy and Greenburgs will be very interesting.
Alley Barber
Guest
What would be good , is if he was to stay on and genuinely put a broom through the joint . I get the feeling the NRL has become like an arm of the public service, where three people are doing the job that one could quite reasonably do. I’d also imagine Peter Beattie would have bought a few leather lounges and cappuccino machines on the NRL credit card from someone close to him before disappearing like a thief in the night . I hope this bloke has the games best interests at heart .
Steven Harris
Good your more than welcome to stay Peter.