Peter V'Landys has officially stepped down as the CEO of Racing NSW, paving the way for him to take over as CEO of the NRL.
The move for him to become the head of the NRL, alongside his role as chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission, has been approved by the clubs in the game, with the NRL confirming his move on Thursday afternoon.
The NRL, in confirming the move, revealed Roosters chairman Nick Politis chaired meetings with the club.
New commission chairman Peter Beattie confirmed the ARLC had endorsed the move.
“Peter has completely reinvigorated Rugby League during his tenure and the Commission is backing him in to grow the game even further," Beattie said.
“Peter inherited a game with limited reserves and no significant assets, one that had needed an advance from its broadcasters just to pay the Clubs and Players. He consistently put the fan first, and the record audiences and the biggest broadcast deal in Australian sport followed.”
V'Landys said he was honoured to be taking over the running of the game.
“I am honoured every day to have the opportunity to give something back to Rugby League and could not be more excited for the game's future," he said.
“Rugby League is the greatest game of all and we are going to take it to the world.”
While it was not ever the intention when the independent body that is the ARLC was created, V'Landys' sway over the game during his tenure as chairman has become so great that the move for him to replace Andrew Abdo, who has moved to Tennis Australia, will go from an interim one to a permanent one.
“Naturally, this is a very sad day for me. I have put my heart and soul into racing for 22 years. I have been fortunate to work with outstanding, loyal and hardworking Boards of Directors and staff," V'Landys said in a statement released by Racing NSW confirming the news.
“I was just a member of a dedicated team of professionals who were able to generate outstanding outcomes for Racing NSW. As a team, we went from a struggling jurisdiction to a world-leading jurisdiction. I take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been in our team. I will miss them greatly, and I wish the industry every success.”
V'Landys will go down as one of the greatest racing administrators in that sport, and has proven his nous in the NRL during recent times, guiding the game through the coronavirus pandemic that threatened its survival, negotiating the richest TV deal in Australian sporting history, and now leading the sport through expansion to Perth, Port Moresby, and either back to Queensland or New Zealand for a 20th team set to join in 2029.
V'Landys contract with Racing NSW expires on November 30, meaning he will continue to serve there until that time.
