Phil Rothfield: Why ARLC boss John Grant had to go from the game

IT’S been the game’s worst kept secret that NRL CEO Todd Greenberg and ARLC chairman John Grant have clashed. One had to go. Fortunately the right one quit, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.

• STORY: Grant to quit as ARLC boss, won’t seek reappointment

IN the end John Grant had no choice.

The writing was on the wall after he met the bosses of South Sydney (Nick Pappas), Melbourne Storm (Bart Campbell) and the Brisbane Broncos (Dennis Watt) in Sydney yesterday.

They had gathered to discuss the future make-up of the independent commission under a new model with 10 directors — six from the NRL, two from the States and two from the clubs.

The three officials told Grant the clubs wanted him gone.

To move forward they needed a guarantee he would go in February.

Grant flew home to Brisbane after the meeting still undecided.

Eventually he sent NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg an email at 8.30am this morning to announce he was stepping down.

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg (right) and John Grant have been at odds over funding for the code.

He emailed the game’s major stakeholders right on 10am — the 16 clubs, the major sponsors and the NRL executive.

Most applauded his decision. Greenberg in particular.

It’s been the game’s worst kept secret that the pair have repeatedly clashed in recent times.

One of them had to go. Fortunately the right one quit.

It’s a pretty harsh thing to write but Grant will not be remembered as a good administrator.

I’d give him a two, possibly three, out of 10.

Not long after he came into the job, Grant decided to do a strategic plan.

By 2017 rugby league would have 700,000 participants. We have 225,000.

The game would have $200 million in the bank in a future growth fund.

Instead the NRL had to get a $50 million advance from Fox Sports earlier this year and is now about to take out a $20 million bank loan.

John Grant has announced he will not stand for reappointment as ARLC chairman.

Dare I say it but the game is in crisis.

Grant’s biggest mistake was the appointment of former CEO Dave Smith to replace David Gallop.

Costs spiralled out of control on consultants and other wastage. He was a disaster.

Now the game gets the opportunity to take a deep breath and then move forward.

Grant has been the major stumbling block in the delayed negotiations over club funding, the salary cap and the RLPA’s collective bargaining agreement.

And this was 18 months after getting the guaranteed income from a $2 billion television deal.

It’s been arguably the most poorly administered sport in the country.

Letter from Todd Greenberg to NRL staff

Dear Colleagues

Our Chairman, John Grant has today announced that he will not seek reappointment on the Commission at the end of his current term in February next year. John has done a remarkable job in his five and a half years in the role as the inaugural Chairman of the Commission. He has led the business through countless successes, including two broadcast deals, a new club funding package, improvements to player safety and rule changes which have made our game closer and more exciting than ever before. And I am sure many of you will remember that he took over many of the CEO duties 18 months ago after the departure of Dave Smith while maintaining his role as Chairman. John has never hesitated to pour his time and energy into the game and has always put Rugby League first. In keeping with that approach, John has decided not to seek re-election and put in place a succession plan. He will remain in the role until February and will continue to do everything he can to deal with the challenges the game throws at us all. I am sure we will all have the opportunity to thank him for his work.

Regards

Todd