NRL 2023: Ben Ikin on verge of quitting Brisbane Broncos for QRL CEO role

Broncos bosses held urgent talks to improve communication between Ben Ikin and coach Kevin Walters amid revelations of tensions. Now it seems the former is on his way out.

Brisbane football boss Ben Ikin will be formally interviewed by the Queensland Rugby League on Wednesday in a move that could see him quit the Broncos within weeks.

Ikin has been short-listed for the QRL’s chief executive’s job and is the frontrunner to secure the prestigious position as the NRL prepares for Magic Round in Brisbane this weekend.

The bombshell development could see Ikin running rugby league in Queensland during this year’s Origin series — and leave Kevin Walters’ Broncos without a head of football midway through this season.

Just three months ago, Ikin ruled himself out of the race to replace departing QRL boss Rohan Sawyer, saying at the time: “I’m committed to helping ‘Kev’ (coach Walters) get the Broncos firing again.”

But Ikin has had a change of heart and the Broncos football boss has rocketed into serious contention to be the head honcho of the QRL.

It is understood the QRL has whittled down a list of 70 applicants and Ikin, a former QRL board member, has reached the final four, who will undertake formal interviews from Wednesday.

Ben Ikin is on the verge of leaving the Broncos.

QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher declined to discuss specific names, but confirmed the organisation is on the verge of finalising Sawyer’s successor.

“We hope to have a CEO very soon,” Hatcher said.

“We will interview the four candidates and then it has to be ratified by the full board.

“I would expect that to happen in the next week that we will know where we are at with our new CEO.”

Ikin declined to comment, but Broncos hierarchy are aware of his short-listing for the QRL CEO’s job and his possible departure from the glamour club.

The 46-year-old has stayed under the radar in the battle for the QRL post, mindful of missing out on the Broncos CEO’s role after being short-listed to replace Paul White at Red Hill almost three years ago.

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

Broncos bosses held urgent talks last September to improve lines of communication between Ikin and coach Walters amid revelations of tensions between the pair.

Ikin’s return to Red Hill was hailed as a game-changing appointment for the club as the Broncos ramped up plans to deliver their first premiership since 2006.

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 also clashed over some team-selection matters.

Walters insisted he had no insurmountable issue with Ikin and has worked closely with his football boss this season, underpinning Brisbane’s sizzling 7-2 start to lead the NRL competition entering Magic Round.

Ben Ikin and Kevin Walters have been at loggerheads over some issues at the club.

But Ikin could be entering his final weeks as a Broncos employee.

If successful, Ikin would be ordained as QRL chief executive next week and given a mandate to steer Queensland into a bold new era — starting with another Origin series victory NSW this season.

“We are looking for a football person,” Hatcher said of the QRL’s next CEO.

“Whoever gets the job will have to notify us of their notice period.

“The contingency plan was no rush, no panic. We have Rob Moore as interim CEO and he is a very safe pair of hands. He has done the job before and he is available until the end of August, so the successful candidate would have to give between a month and three months’ notice.

“Our role in the game is from the grassroots to sub-elite, which is the Hostplus Cup, and the contribution those teams make to the NRL is significant.

“We have to do our job in the business of rugby league so there’s no doubt we are after some good football leadership from our new CEO.”

The potential loss of Ikin would be a major blow for the Broncos.

Kevin Walters (centre), Maroons chairman of selectors Gene Miles (left) and QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher in 2018.

A veteran of 17 Origin games for Queensland as a player, Ikin is regarded as one of the code’s sharpest minds and has worked closely with Brisbane Academy chief Simon Scanlan to bring through the next wave of Broncos stars.

Ikin was also instrumental in the signing of Penrith premiership forward Kurt Capewell, who has brought a harder edge to the Broncos under Walters.

Ikin believes Brisbane are well positioned to break their 17-year title drought and Sawyer is adamant Walters’ Broncos football chief would be the perfect fit as QRL chief executive.

“Ben would do a wonderful job,” ex-QRL boss Sawyer said in February.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with Ben when he was a director.

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

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

Originally published as NRL 2023: Ben Ikin on verge of quitting Brisbane Broncos for QRL CEO role