BREAKING: V’landys confirmed as rugby league’s most powerful figure in landslide

Peter V’landys has been unveiled as Australian rugby league’s first executive chairman following a “unanimous endorsement” from the ARLC.

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After 22 years in the role, V’landys revealed on Thursday he was leaving his Racing NSW position at the expiry of his contract on November 30.

Already the Australian Rugby League Commission chairman, V’landys, 66, has also been the acting NRL chief executive since Andrew Abdo left that role in July to become Tennis Australia’s chief executive.

Now, the ARLC have confirmed he will take up the top job after the “commission consulted its members namely the NRL Clubs, NSWRL and QRL” according to a statement.

“This appointment provides certainty and continuity through an exciting period for Rugby League as the game expands domestically and internationally,” the statement read.

“Mr V’landys has just secured the landmark $5.3 billion new media rights agreement for the game which provides an unprecedented platform for future growth and success.

“During his tenure as Chairman of the ARLC, Mr V’landys has overseen the most successful and transformative period in the game’s history.”

V’landys explained he was “honoured every day”, having been appointed to the ARL commission in March 2018 before earning the title of chairman only 18 months later.

“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.”

During his time with the ARLC, alongside the historic broadcast deal, V’landys also steered rugby league through the Covid pandemic, developed an “asset base” for the NRL, helped grow the women’s game and he has also overseen expansion to a 19-team competition.

Meanwhile, the NRL’s Las Vegas season-opening games have been a success with a ‘Global Round’ looming to take rugby league to new locations.

In commenting on his departure from Racing NSW, V’landys said it was a “sad day” for him.

“I have put my heart and soul into racing for 22 years,” he said.

“I have been fortunate to work with outstanding, loyal and hardworking boards of directors and staff.

“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.”

In his time as Racing NSW boss, V’landys has overseen $3.5bn in new funding procured, including new recurring annual revenues of $375m.

Racing NSW chair Saranne Cooke said V’landys’ contribution to racing was “without parallel”.

“Peter V’landys has been, without doubt, the most effective and successful administrator in the history of Australian sport,” Dr Cooke said.

“His contribution cannot simply be measured by the extraordinary growth of racing in NSW during his tenure.

“Peter has fundamentally changed the trajectory of racing in this country and made NSW one of the world’s leading racing jurisdictions.

“He has fought relentlessly for participants, challenged long-established conventions, created new revenue streams and consistently ensured that racing was protected during two decades of challenges.

“Most importantly, he has always understood that the strength of racing begins with its participants: the owners, trainers, jockeys, breeders, stable staff, clubs and communities all around NSW whose livelihoods depend upon a strong and sustainable industry.

“There would be very few people involved in Australian racing whose circumstances have not been improved directly by Peter’s leadership.”

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