NRL 2020: Todd Greenberg breaks silence after quitting as CEO

Former NRL CEO Todd Greenberg says he isn’t upset after being forced to resign on Monday, taking a veiled swipe at the game he led for four years when he broke his silence Wednesday morning.

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Former NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has spoken out for the first time since quitting on Monday, saying he has no regrets over his decision to leave the game.

In a veiled swipe at the NRL, Greenberg told 7NEWS “I don’t think I’ve ever been happier,” while out walking with his wife Lisa and dogs on Wednesday morning.

Greenberg also brushed off any criticism of his four-year-tenure, despite the dire situation the NRL now finds itself in.

““No I’m not at all [upset], it’s been a great journey as I’ve said, I’ve had a lovely time working at the NRL.

“[I] loved every single minute of it,” he told 7NEWS.

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Former NRL CEO Todd Greenberg reflects over a beer and some cooking at home last night. Pictures: Jonathan Ng

Greenberg has been holed up in his multimillion-dollar Oatley waterfront home after stepping down as chief executive officer of the National Rugby League on Monday.

His wife Lisa Greenberg spoke outside the pair’s Oatley home while walking their dogs on Tuesday morning.

“We’re fine ... He’s great,” she said.

The father-of-two will be spending more time with his family after the NRL’s top commercial boss Andrew Abdo was appointed acting CEO.

Email from angry club exec was last straw for NRL chief

Peter V’landys woke Monday morning at 5am to find an email from a disgruntled club chief executive complaining about NRL boss Todd Greenberg and his senior executives.

About eight hours later, Greenberg resigned … or was pushed.

The email was the last straw. It followed Channel Nine’s scathing attack on NRL management the previous week, a falling out with club powerbrokers across the game and V’landy’s own issues with the CEO over several months.

So at lunchtime on Monday in the offices of Racing NSW, the execution took place.

After four years he was out the door, six months before his contract was due to expire with a payout believed to be around the $500,000 mark.

The pressure had become extreme over financial problems laid bare by the coronavirus.

The email that was sent by a powerful club CEO late on Sunday night, which V’landys read at 5am, was criticism of the lack of communication from NRL management.

Todd Greenberg handed in his resignation after meeting with Peter V’landys. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

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For two weeks the CEO had tried to get financial information from head office about club grants.

V’landys had fielded similar complaints from other dissatisfied clubs in recent weeks.

Enough was enough. His position had become untenable.

Ironically it was on Sunday Greenberg emailed his own NRL staff to warn them of cost-cutting and job cuts that would soon be undertaken. He went first.

Greenberg with a white towel as he cooks at home after being stood down on Monday. Picture: Jonathan Ng

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The NRL’s highly regarded commercial boss Andrew Abdo has been appointed acting CEO.

V’landy’s told the The Daily Telegraph he was committed to Racing NSW and would not be interested in taking over as an executive chairman of the NRL.

The news of Greenberg’s dismissal caught the NRL’s senior management by surprise.

V’landys broke the news to executives in a zoom video hook-up at 4.00pm.

Todd Greenberg handed in his resignation after four years in the job. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

The press release on his departure went out 10 minutes later.

There is no question Greenberg was pushed rather him leaving on his own terms.

I asked him two weeks ago if he would quit after his relationships became fractured with clubs, commission chairman Peter V’landys and major stakeholders, but he vowed to fight on.

“I’m absolutely fully committed to it (the job),” he said, “I’ve given an assurance to the commission that we’ll roll up the sleeves, work hard and come out the other side.

“You don’t do this job to win a popularity contest. You’ve got to have pretty good resilience.”

Greenberg was summonsed to a meeting with V’landys at Racing NSW headquarters on Monday morning where they agreed his time was up.

Greenberg on March 5 before the start of the 2020 NRL season launch at The Venue in Sydney. Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

V’landys had publicly supported Greenberg for weeks but privately had grave reservations about him continuing. It had become an issue of trust, or lack of.

The recent Channel Nine attack on the NRL administration didn’t help.

It is hard to believe he was a special guest of the network in a lavish weekend away at the Australian Open tennis in Melbourne in January.

His relationship with News Corp and Fox Sports had broken down as well.

He had even been locked out of recent meetings with the broadcasters about the TV deal.

He was also left behind when V’landy’s took Abdo to the United States in February to meet Lachlan Murdoch and heavyweights from Google and Facebook.

Greenberg had been under contract until October.

It is understood he will be paid out around $500,000 but this could not be confirmed by V’landys.

Todd Greenberg signed Des Hasler to take over as head coach of the Canterbury Bulldogs when he was charge at Belmore.

Greenberg did not take phone calls or reply to text messages but spoke via a statement put out by the NRL.

“It has been my great honour and privilege to be the CEO of the NRL for the last 4 years,” he said, “despite the variety of challenges and pressures I have loved every single minute of the journey.

“Our growth over the last 4 years has been extraordinary and I am very proud of my contribution to the game.

“I am indebted to the game for the variety of opportunities and experiences that have been provided to my family and I, and we leave with many great memories and lifelong friendships.

“My sincere thanks to all the stakeholders across the game, particularly the fans who are the lifeblood of rugby league. Their unwavering passion for the game is wonderful.

“I remain in awe of the players skill and bravery to play this game week in and week out & I thank all of them, both past and present for their friendship and support.

“My thanks also to the staff and Executive team at the NRL. It has been an absolute honour to lead this team of talented, resilient and hard working professionals”

V’landys thanked Greenberg for his contribution in the statement.

“The role of Chief Executive of the NRL is one of the most challenging and difficult roles in Australian sport, with a diversity of passionate stakeholders. ARLC thanks Todd for his contribution to the game over the last seven years and as Chief Executive for the last four years,” V’landys said.

Originally published as NRL 2020: Todd Greenberg breaks silence after quitting as CEO