NRL 2023: QRL CEO resignation could see Ben Ikin tempted to leave Brisbane Broncos

After his shock resignation as QRL CEO, Rohan Sawyer has backed the Brisbane Broncos’ head of football as a worthy successor.

Brisbane Broncos Ben Ikin. Picture: Supplied/NRL Imagery

Broncos head of football Ben Ikin has emerged as a contender to take charge of the Queensland Rugby League following the shock resignation of chief executive Rohan Sawyer.

And Sawyer threw his support behind Ikin, saying Brisbane’s football boss and former QRL board member has the perfect skill set to succeed him as the man to run rugby league in Queensland.

As revealed by News Corp, Sawyer tendered his resignation on Friday – just 16 months into the role and less than a year after he watched Queensland conjure another epic Origin series boilover of the Blues last season.

The impending departure of Sawyer, who impressed QRL figures during his tenure, has opened the door for Broncos football chief Ikin to be Queensland rugby league’s top dog.

QRL hierarchy, led by chairman Bruce Hatcher, will begin the search for Sawyer’s successor and the departing chief executive believes Ikin would be a natural fit for the position.

Brisbane Broncos head of football Ben Ikin. Picture: Supplied/NRL Imagery

“Ben would do a wonderful job,” said Sawyer, who will take up a role as managing director of marketing-and-communications giant Bastion in the run to Brisbane’s 2032 Olympics.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with Ben when he was a director (at the QRL).

“He is a super intelligent guy who not only understands the game of rugby league, but he understands business.

“If I was running the search, he is someone I would have on my shortlist and want to have a talk to because he is one of the better administrators out there that I have worked with.”

Sawyer was a key member of the QRL leadership team for the past five years. He commenced his journey with the QRL in 2018 as chief operating officer before stepping into the chief executive’s hot seat in October 2021.

“My time at the QRL has been a rewarding experience,” Sawyer said.

“Our Origin series win last year was special. To see our young debutants flourish and what Billy (Slater, rookie coach) was able to put together, I will always treasure that.

“I’m looking forward to my new challenge at Bastion. I will set up and build their Queensland arm so I am focused on sports marketing as we head towards the Brisbane Olympics, so it’s a great opportunity.

“I always felt you should leave an organisation in a better place than when you got there and I feel I have set up the QRL for future success.”

Rohan Sawyer is stepping down from his role as QRL CEO. Picture: AAP Image/Claudia Baxter

Ikin, one of the sharpest minds in rugby league, is an ideal candidate to drive the next phase of the QRL’s growth plans.

Aside from having played State of Origin for Queensland, Ikin has previously served on the QRL board, where he impressed with his corporate nous before standing down to take up his current appointment at the Broncos.

Ikin was appointed Brisbane’s head of football in June 2021, but has had a turbulent tenure at Red Hill.

As revealed exclusively by News Corp last September, Broncos bosses held urgent talks to improve lines of communication between Ikin and coach Kevin Walters amid revelations of tensions between the pair.

Ikin’s return to Red Hill midway through 2021 was hailed as a game-changing appointment for the club as the Broncos ramped up plans to snap a 16-year premiership drought.

But the head of football felt increasingly marginalised last season following a communication breakdown with Walters, his halves partner in Brisbane’s 2000 NRL premiership win.

At the core of the issue was Walters’ desire to control the football department as head coach – and how much input Ikin was keen to have in the running of Brisbane’s NRL program.

The pair clashed over some team-selection matters.

But Walters later said he had no issue with Ikin and was open to suggestions from Brisbane’s football boss to ensure the Broncos hit back as a finals force this year after finishing ninth in 2022.

Ikin has support in high places at the QRL and is a certainty to be short-listed for the CEO’s post if he is open to a career move.

Sawyer said some of Ikin’s work during his time at the QRL is paying dividends.

“Ben was instrumental in his time on our board building our pathways and performance program with Brett Jones,” Sawyer said.

“Ben really took that as his pet project and we are seeing the fruits of that labour now.

“We are starting to see the best pathway development across the state that we’ve had in over a decade which is exciting.”

Originally published as NRL 2023: QRL CEO resignation could see Ben Ikin tempted to leave Brisbane Broncos