NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has suddenly resigned.
The NRL announced in a press conference that Abdo will step down to take up a role as CEO of Tennis Australia.
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Abdo, who helped the league survive Covid restrictions and chaos, is leaving after six years with the league.
Alongside NRL supremo Peter V’landys, Abdo has overseen a period of growth for the NRL with the league headed towards a monster upgrade in its next broadcast rights negotiations.
He will remain in his role as NRL CEO until July 15 to ensure a smooth transition, while also completing negotiatins for a new broadcast deal alongside V’Landys, who will act as interim CEO.
In a press conference announcing the news, Abdo said: “Leading the NRL has been a privilege and the highlight of my career.
“Together we have built a strong, innovative and resilient organisation, expanded the reach of the game and positioned it for an exciting future.
“Rugby League has given me opportunities I could only have dreamed of, experiences that cannot be compared and I have made friendships for a lifetime.
“It has been an honour to be part of the rugby league family.”
While Abdo is sorry to say goodbye to NRL, he is eagerly anticipating the chance to work at Tennis Australia.
“Tennis Australia has a unique role in Australian sport. The Australian Open is already one of the leading sporting events in the world. The opportunity is to keep evolving it – as a global event, as a fan experience, and as a platform that brings more people into the sport,” he said.
“What excites me about this role is the opportunity to grow participation, strengthen development pathways and ensure success at the elite level – so that more young Australians pick up a racquet and stay lifelong participants.
“I am excited to build off the incredible success and strength of Tennis Australia to work with an amazing team and to play my part taking the sport to the next level in Australia and on the global stage.
Departing tennis chief Craig Tiley helped turn the Aussie Open into one of the most popular sporting events in the world.
He is leaving Tennis Australia to take up the job as boss of the United States Tennis Association and the US Open grand slam in New York.
It was reported last year Abdo had met with another sporting organisation about a vacant chief executive role — without giving V’landys prior notice.
The Australian reported Abdo was one of the leading candidates to be appointed CEO of global sports and entertainment promoter TEG.
Abdo stressed at the time he did not actively seek out the role, but was approached by a representative of TEG.
He said at the time: “I’m here for the long haul. I’ve been here six years.”
The move added fuel to burning rumours Abdo’s role was being increasingly diminished by V’landys’ hands-on management style as chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission.
Rumours emerged on Monday with NRL journalist Danny Weidler reporting there is “speculation” V’landys could move into the vacant role.
As reported last year, the ARL Commission’s constitution would need to be changed for V’landy to take up a new role as executive chairman of the code, merging the two positions into one role.
That would need the support of 18 of 19 members of the commission.
The powerful identity still operates as chief executive of Racing NSW and recently denied suggestions he would consider leaving the role.
Abdo was promoted to the CEO role in 2020 after former CEO Todd Greenberg was essentially forced out because of a sour relationship with Channel 9 bosses and other rugby league stakeholders.
The South African administrator leaves with the NRL heading into the unknown of bold expansions into Papua New Guinea and Perth.
The Perth Bears will enter the competition next season, while the PNG Chiefs will enter the NRL in 2028 with a $600 million war chest grant from the Anthony Albanese government.
NRL legend Corey Parker on Monday morning suggested Broncos great and Queensland Rugby League (QRL) chief executive Ben Ikin would be a good candidate to replace Abdo.
Ikin announced earlier this month he will be stepping down from his QRL role in July.
“I know Ben Ikin, and from what I’ve seen from Ben Ikin, the game would certainly thrive under his guidance if he was to go into that role,” Parker said on SEN’s Front Office with Vossy.
“I don’t know if it’s something that he wants to do, but, if it was to come to fruition, the game would be in great hands with him at the helm anyway.”
The Broncos great said he was “surprised” to see Abdo leave.
“He’s left it in a better place, so he’s done a great job,” Parker said.
“He’s a great operator, he’s very accommodating, and ultimately, at the end of the day, the game is in such a good place, and a lot of that’s to do with his involvement.
“From a visual perspective, it’s changed considerably, hasn’t it?
“I mean, you’ve got the new six again, you’ve got the new interchange rule, but I think just from a product, from eyeballs on TV screens, he would have seen two broadcast deals.
“I think the game’s changed considerably, and they’ve been at the forefront of ensuring that it’s all for the better.
“I think it’s pretty fair to say that all the numbers and the metrics and everything around it back up everything they’ve done.
“He will be missed in the game, and (it’s) big shoes to fill whoever comes in.”
Meanwhile, Tiley has continued to steer the ship at Tennis Australia despite confirming in February he was leaving.
With Abdo now making the giant step to cover the role, Australian tennis is heading into a new era.
