Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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BRONCOS boss Paul White and Wallabies legend Phil Kearns have emerged as possible targets to succeed Bill Pulver as chief executive of the Australian Rugby Union.
It is believed Kearns has privately expressed his interest in the top job – 22 years after his failed attempt to lead a player breakaway movement against the ARU.
Pulver announced on Friday he would step down as ARU boss, insisting: “It’s the right time for a change ... a fresh set of eyes and ears in order to take us on to the next generation.”
The fresh set of eyes could come from rugby union’s cross-code foes, with White being linked to the ARU post after his outstanding seven-year tenure with the Broncos.
Under White, the Broncos have become the financial powerhouse of the NRL, amassing a record $42 million in revenue last season.
On Tuesday, the Broncos announced a half-yearly pre-tax profit of $3.4 million, another increase on last year’s $3.06 million gross surplus.
Panthers supremo Phil Gould has labelled White the best administrator in Australian sport.
White had ambitions to be NRL chief executive before being struck down by a brain tumour two years ago.
Former mining executive and police detective White has bravely fought off the illness, completing chemotherapy and coming off medication two months ago.
A number of rugby stakeholders are highly impressed with the 51-year-old, but the Broncos are reluctant to lose White, who last year signed a three-year extension until the end of 2019.
White declined to comment on Saturday but insisted he had not been approached by the ARU.
Broncos chairman Dennis Watt believes White would be the ideal candidate to resurrect Australian rugby.
“Paul White is an outstanding sports administrator, heading up an outstanding team made up of committed, passionate people,” Watt said.
“He is someone who will always have options, not just in sport but in the business world generally. So I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the ARU sounded him out.
“But Paul has another two years to run on his contract here and I would personally advise him against taking the role if offered down the track.
“In going through difficult times recently through his brain tumour diagnosis, Paul learned that through his family, the Broncos and the entire rugby league community he had an entire army at his back.
“Having worked with Paul for seven years, I have no doubt he could do anything he sets his mind to. But if he was to consider taking on such a role with the ARU in the future he would need a similar-sized army to support him because their challenges are so vast.”
White earnt $704,057 with the Broncos last year and has previously attempted to negotiate a $1 million salary – a payday the ARU could not afford.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...y/news-story/dd6bb4ab888568679c7ad58cdecb2c54
It is believed Kearns has privately expressed his interest in the top job – 22 years after his failed attempt to lead a player breakaway movement against the ARU.
Pulver announced on Friday he would step down as ARU boss, insisting: “It’s the right time for a change ... a fresh set of eyes and ears in order to take us on to the next generation.”
The fresh set of eyes could come from rugby union’s cross-code foes, with White being linked to the ARU post after his outstanding seven-year tenure with the Broncos.
Under White, the Broncos have become the financial powerhouse of the NRL, amassing a record $42 million in revenue last season.
On Tuesday, the Broncos announced a half-yearly pre-tax profit of $3.4 million, another increase on last year’s $3.06 million gross surplus.
Panthers supremo Phil Gould has labelled White the best administrator in Australian sport.
White had ambitions to be NRL chief executive before being struck down by a brain tumour two years ago.
Former mining executive and police detective White has bravely fought off the illness, completing chemotherapy and coming off medication two months ago.
A number of rugby stakeholders are highly impressed with the 51-year-old, but the Broncos are reluctant to lose White, who last year signed a three-year extension until the end of 2019.
White declined to comment on Saturday but insisted he had not been approached by the ARU.
Broncos chairman Dennis Watt believes White would be the ideal candidate to resurrect Australian rugby.
“Paul White is an outstanding sports administrator, heading up an outstanding team made up of committed, passionate people,” Watt said.
“He is someone who will always have options, not just in sport but in the business world generally. So I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the ARU sounded him out.
“But Paul has another two years to run on his contract here and I would personally advise him against taking the role if offered down the track.
“In going through difficult times recently through his brain tumour diagnosis, Paul learned that through his family, the Broncos and the entire rugby league community he had an entire army at his back.
“Having worked with Paul for seven years, I have no doubt he could do anything he sets his mind to. But if he was to consider taking on such a role with the ARU in the future he would need a similar-sized army to support him because their challenges are so vast.”
White earnt $704,057 with the Broncos last year and has previously attempted to negotiate a $1 million salary – a payday the ARU could not afford.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...y/news-story/dd6bb4ab888568679c7ad58cdecb2c54
