NRL CEO Todd Greenberg at loggerheads with commissioners

The exit of former ARLC chairman John Grant was seen by many to be a big step forward for the game — but now NRL boss Todd Greenberg is at loggerheads with the far more hands-on and influential commissioners.

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There is growing tension at NRL headquarters over a strained relationship between independent commissioners and chief executive Todd Greenberg.

NRL boss Todd Greenberg is struggling to come to grips with the fact commissioners have become far more hands-on and influential in major decision making since the departure of John Grant last year.

The biggest issues in the game — the Jack de Belin stand-down order and the decision to block Israel Folau from playing NRL — are being driven by the commission and its chairman Peter Beattie.

Despite reports to the contrary, Beattie’s job is not in jeopardy. He has, in fact, strong support of commissioners. Greenberg is clearly the one under pressure.

Greenberg has to manage with more input from Chairman Peter Beattie. Image: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

The CEO wanted to sound out Folau about playing NRL when he was cut from the Wallabies and Waratahs for homophobic comments. Instead, commissioners stepped in and banned him.

To say it was Beattie’s own call is clearly wrong. The night it happened he consulted every commissioner before making their decision public.

It caught Greenberg by surprise because he is close to Folau.

Racing boss Peter V’landys, former player Mark Coyne, media executive Amanda Laing and lawyer Megan Davis have added much needed clout and management expertise to the commission.

The pressure is now on the NRL CEO. Image: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

The demands on Greenberg and his executive management team are far greater than under Grant.

Previously there was little or no consultation with commissioners.

Even the playing schedule for 2019 was published last year without the commission even seeing it.

The next big issue in rugby league is administration costs in a difficult economy.

There is a suggestion the NRL is living above its means. That they could even go broke in a few years.

The blowtorch will be on Greenberg to slash wage costs and spending. He will need to deliver or his own job, not Beattie’s, will be on the line.