Andrew Abdo and Peter V’landys.Credit:Jamie Brown
V’landys told theTelegraph:“Andrew Abdo is one of the best CEOs I have ever worked with. Andrew is trying to do his best for rugby league at all times. His[Abdo’s] intention is right,but he gets into arguments with people.
“It’s easy for me to come in at the end after all the arguments. The emotion has taken over the common sense. You take the emotion away,compromise a little bit,and get a deal done. By the time I get there,they’re fatigued. That’s what chairs are for – to come in and assist with the process. We all have weaknesses. I certainly do. Andrew needs to work on those areas he’s not strong on. But the game is very fortunate to have him.”
Abdo said:“Peter is a strong leader who has always backed me. I am grateful for that and do not take it for granted.”
V’landys rejected the suggestion his comments could be interpreted as criticism of Abdo,saying:“I said Andrew is one of the best CEOs I have worked with,and the game is fortunate to have him,so you need to look at the quote as a whole and to my answer.”
The clubs would face another major obstacle in any push to persuade V’landys to become executive chairman given the ARL Commission’s constitution explicitly forbids it from happening so would have to be changed.
Any change to the constitution would require the agreement of NSW Rugby League and Queensland Rugby League,who are currently in a stand-off with V’landys over cuts to their funding.
One state executive,speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the threat of legal action over funding cuts,said:“The chances of us abrogating our constitutional veto in order for PVL to become executive chair are somewhere between zero and Buckley’s.”
V’landys would also need greater remuneration than his share of the $750,000 paid to the eight ARLC directors.
Even if half the 17 NRL clubs and two states approve a 60 per cent pay rise at the AGM on February 21,V’landys’ pay cheque would still be well short of the CEO’s salary.
The NRL kicks off the season with a double-header in Las Vegas in March.Credit:NRL Photos
Abdo defended V’landys’ intervention in crises,such as the CBA and the Las Vegas negotiations.
“The CBA was a complex negotiation,” he said. “It will be the first long-form NRL and NRLW CBA in the game’s history. Chairs from both parties were involved. In fact,chairs from the Australian Rugby League Commission,Rugby League Players’ Association and clubs were involved. As were independent facilitators and other directors. I have huge respect for Peter as chairman and as a person and his experience in sports administration has been invaluable for rugby league.”
Nor did V’landys have a problem with the perception that Abdo had been forced to the sidelines,saying:“Andrew’s primary consideration is the same as the commission’s – that being he must act in the best interest of the game as a whole. He has done this at all times. There is always going to be disagreement in complex negotiations. I believe that’s healthy as constructive debate produces the best outcomes.”
Some clubs,however,favour the status quo,with V’landys as chairman and Abdo as CEO.
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“The game is going pretty well financially,so I don’t see why they would want to change it,” Penrith CEO Brian Fletcher said. “He’s put $300 million in the bank,and he’s talking about a $1 billion in assets.”
Another club chairman,who requested anonymity in order to speak freely,said of V’landys:“I’ve got a high regard for his cut-through. He’s a mover and shaker.”