Banker David Smith named as new NRL CEO

[Kaz]

THE Daily Telegraph can reveal that the new chief executive of the NRL is senior banker David Smith.

Smith is the chief executive of Lloyds International, which is based in Sydney.

His name will be revealed to the media at 11am today at Moore Park headquarters.

Smith takes over from David Gallop, who was sacked by the NRL in June.


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...d-as-new-nrl-ceo/story-e6frexnr-1226522525175

 

[Porthoz]

What does this guy know about RL?

 

[Kaz]

What does this guy know about RL?

Probably more than some of the NRL refs.

 

[Kimlo]

What does this guy know about RL?

More importantly who is he? Does anyone know what his credentials are?
Shame we couldn't get the 2IC for the AFL.

 

[Coxy]

He's been CEO for some big banking groups based in the UK. What he knows about rugby league is irrelevant IMO. As CEO his job is to lead his team - and surround himself with people who do have the exceptional knowledge and understanding and have them doing their jobs well.

His job is to setup the business connections, relationships and guide strategic decisions to grow the business. His background in that regard is impeccable.

I'm actually glad we didn't just try and snag a sports administrator who's looking for a job. The AFL 2IC was different, that'd be a good head to hunt. But when that went south then the best option was to get the best business-focussed CEO you could find.

I'm happy. But let's see how he performs.

 

[Bull Shark]

He's been CEO for some big banking groups based in the UK. What he knows about rugby league is irrelevant IMO. As CEO his job is to lead his team - and surround himself with people who do have the exceptional knowledge and understanding and have them doing their jobs well.

His job is to setup the business connections, relationships and guide strategic decisions to grow the business. His background in that regard is impeccable.

I'm actually glad we didn't just try and snag a sports administrator who's looking for a job. The AFL 2IC was different, that'd be a good head to hunt. But when that went south then the best option was to get the best business-focussed CEO you could find.

I'm happy. But let's see how he performs.

absolutely. Tip my cap to the NRL for taking their time and going this route.

 

[Kimlo]

He's been CEO for some big banking groups based in the UK. What he knows about rugby league is irrelevant IMO. As CEO his job is to lead his team - and surround himself with people who do have the exceptional knowledge and understanding and have them doing their jobs well.

His job is to setup the business connections, relationships and guide strategic decisions to grow the business. His background in that regard is impeccable.

I'm actually glad we didn't just try and snag a sports administrator who's looking for a job. The AFL 2IC was different, that'd be a good head to hunt. But when that went south then the best option was to get the best business-focussed CEO you could find.

I'm happy. But let's see how he performs.

100% agree with this. I just hope he's actually a good CEO in what ever he was previously in because I have no idea who he is. I would say that I trust the best decision will be made but going by the track record so far I can't say that too confidently.

 

[Kaz]

I prefer someone who doesn't have ties to the NRL.

As it means he won't be made to call in 'favours'.

 

[Coxy]

I prefer someone who doesn't have ties to the NRL.

As it means he won't be made to call in 'favours'.

^^^ Bingo.

David Gallop came in having been a lawyer for News during the Super League split. He was already tainted.

David Moffett was a good choice, an independent (rugby union) administrator, but when he came in it was just after a very tenuous ceasefire with both the ARL and News still trying to pull the strings, so ultimately he had very little power - and it showed. I was gobsmacked by how weak he seemed given how strong and thorough he'd been with NZRU.

Hopefully David Smith will make it 3rd time lucky Dave... at least he should have a (relatively) apolitical organisation above and below him (as much as any sporting organisation can be apolitical). Bu the certainly does have a challenge winning over the NSW, QLD and CRL factions.

 

[Kaz]

No wonder the 2nd in charge of AFL didn't want the job, his first name isn't David.

Does the description about the job say, only David's need apply.

:001_tongue:

 

[Steve]

Looks like a good appointment. I don't think having a deep knowledge of the game was essential. As others have said if he surrounds himself with people who are in the know he can focus on building relationships and expanding the game's commercial opportunities. I'm betting we'll still be seeing plenty of John Grant though. That guy is such a media whore.

 

[Kaz]

I agree about John Grant.

 

[Porthoz]

As a CEO, you have to know the product you're selling. You have to be sensitive to the background and environment your product thrives in.
Obviously, surrounding yourself with the best possible people will help the CEO take his decisions, but without a real feeling for Rugby League in Australia, they will be purely made on business merits, which may not always be the best thing for the game.

That is exactly my greatest criticism as far as the ARLC goes, and it's supposed to be full of people who know more about RL than I even dream of...

 

[Coxy]

Well I think the odds of finding a CEO with his business credentials who also has an inherent knowledge of rugby league are about as slim as me winning OzLotto. And if the ARLC had to weigh up between business nous and rugby league experience, they'd pick the better business person every day of the week, and rightly so.

You can learn about the rugby league industry quickly.
You can't learn about business and leadership quickly.

 

[Porthoz]

Well I think the odds of finding a CEO with his business credentials who also has an inherent knowledge of rugby league are about as slim as me winning OzLotto. And if the ARLC had to weigh up between business nous and rugby league experience, they'd pick the better business person every day of the week, and rightly so.

You can learn about the rugby league industry quickly.
You can't learn about business and leadership quickly.

I would prefer a charismatic leader with a sound mind and that intrinsic knowledge of the game.
The business aspect can be presented by brilliant minds, and will generally be made of cold hard facts with little discussion or arguing, as opposed to the polarity of opinions and ideas that the different interests (local and/or state) will bring to the table.
It's juggling those opinions, wants and wishes that requires someone with that knowledge of the game, and in particular of the game in Australia.

I've always believed that sports cannot be run as any other business, because of its unique ramifications and public interest.

The Broadcast deal is one example; Should we really have gone for the most money, or should we have played hard ball and kept the scheduling under control of the NRL, even if we got less money for it, so that the clubs and their fans get a fairer outcome in the schedule?

I believe we should've chosen the latter, but a strictly business CEO would never, ever do that!

 

[Coxy]

Not convinced, but no doubt you know more than me as usual so I'll "agree to disagree" and leave it at that :P

 

[subsbligh]

I would prefer a charismatic leader with a sound mind and that intrinsic knowledge of the game.
The business aspect can be presented by brilliant minds, and will generally be made of cold hard facts with little discussion or arguing, as opposed to the polarity of opinions and ideas that the different interests (local and/or state) will bring to the table.
It's juggling those opinions, wants and wishes that requires someone with that knowledge of the game, and in particular of the game in Australia.

I've always believed that sports cannot be run as any other business, because of its unique ramifications and public interest.

The Broadcast deal is one example; Should we really have gone for the most money, or should we have played hard ball and kept the scheduling under control of the NRL, even if we got less money for it, so that the clubs and their fans get a fairer outcome in the schedule?

I believe we should've chosen the latter, but a strictly business CEO would never, ever do that!

It's no different to a not for profit organisation. Unlike any other corporation, it's not the NRL's primary purpose to maximise shareholder wealth.

You need a bit of both - business savy and a love of and understandings of the the game and its roots. I'd much prefer those portions to be roughly 90%/10% as a purely econnomically rational businessman is not always going to make the right decision for all stakeholders. Just as the traditional "by the book" black and white lawyer (Gallop) struggled to show initiative.

But a Rugby League purist (say a Gus Gould for example) would be a hopeless CEO.

 

[Porthoz]

Not convinced, but no doubt you know more than me as usual so I'll "agree to disagree" and leave it at that :P

Would you like a bib to go with that? I hope I didn't hurt your feelings! :finger: