‘Enormous coup’ for Tassie as Tigers CEO set to join expansion AFL club

Tasmania’s new AFL club is set for an enormous coup, linked with one of the best performing CEO’s in the sport.

Richmond CEO Brendan Gale (left) has been linked with a huge move. Photo: Aaron Francis/The Australian

Richmond CEO Brendan Gale’s departure from the club is “imminent” in a move to lead the 19th AFL team in his home state of Tasmania, reports veteran journalist Caroline Wilson.

Gale has been the Tigers CEO since 2009, overseeing the club’s recent golden era where it won three premierships in four years under Damien Hardwick.

The only place to watch every game of the 2024 AFL season is Fox Footy, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

Speaking on Channel 9’s Footy Classified, Wilson said she expects Gale to leave the Tigers in the coming months to head up the new Tasmanian club, which is set to enter the competition in 2028.

“I believe it’s an end of an era for the Richmond Football Club, an end of the Brendon Gale era,” Wilson began.

Gale speaking with Dustin Martin after a game (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“My understanding is his departure is imminent. His contract clause, I believe, says he needs to give the club six months’ notice to leave. I think (Tigers president) John O’Rourke and his board will try and convince Brendon to stay a little longer.

“But I believe he will be CEO of Tasmania by the start of 2025. In other words, this will be Brendon’s last season (as Tigers CEO).

“It’s the best of three decades now at Richmond, 15 (years) as CEO, 12 as a player.”

Wilson added that the Tasmanian board and AFL want Gale to be in charge of the AFL’s 19th license by the start of 2025 to begin navigating a host of issues it faces, while it reportedly hopes to announce his appointment by next month.

Adem Yze unveiled as coach with O'Rourke and Gale (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

“They want a key man in charge, as do the AFL to run the list management three years out (from their first season),” she said.

“The start of a women’s team, two or three years out. The stadium issues, government issues, commercial, et cetera.

“It’s an enormous coup.”

Wilson also reported Gale has a “succession plan” in place if the Tigers were to replace him internally, but expects the club to extend its search externally.

Tasmania next Monday is set to announce its official name, logo, colours and jumper. Reports have said the competition’s newest team will follow traditional Tasmanian themes and be named the Devils and play under the predominantly green strip.

Originally published as ‘Enormous coup’ for Tassie as Tigers CEO set to join expansion AFL club