Todd Greenberg to be named new NRL CEO to replace Dave Smith

THE NRL’s head of football Todd Greenberg will be named successor to Dave Smith. Greenberg, also former CEO of the Canterbury Bulldogs, could be unveiled before the end of the week.

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ARL Commissioner John Grant has phoned Accor Hotels boss and NRL CEO contender Simon McGrath to inform him that Todd Greenberg has been appointed to run the game.

The highly regarded McGrath was the only remaining challenger to Greenberg for the position left vacant by Dave Smith last year.

A press conference at League Central to announce Greenberg’s promotion could be called be called before the end of the week.

An official unveiling of Greenberg would formally bring Dave Smith’s tenure at the top to an end.

Greenberg, the current NRL head of football will take up his post five months after Smith walked out the door.

Greenberg would enter the role as NRL CEO following years working within the game.

Before entering League Central as head of football in 2013 Greenberg was CEO of the Canterbury Bulldogs.

He has also held positions with Cricket NSW and ANZ Stadium.

The move to promote Greenberg up the NRL chain of command will likely be hailed by clubs, players and fans who have been calling for someone who knows rugby league to be appointed at the top.

Todd Greenberg is set to be appointed CEO of the NRL. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Smith was appointed in February 2013 following David Gallop’s departure and stayed in the role for less than three years.

A banker by trade, Smith faced ridicule over his lack of knowledge of the game. His biggest gaffes included not being able to name the Kangaroos captain (Cameron Smith) at a press conference and combining Benji Marshall and Ben Barba’s names together at the 2013 season launch to crate ‘Benji Barba’.

Accor boss Simon McGrath missed out on the NRL’s top job.

Smith also faced huge criticism in the lead up to his resignation over his handling of the latest NRL television rights deal.

Australian Rugby League Commission chairman John Grant had taken over Smith’s responsibilities while the process to replace him played out.

Grant and Greenberg will now be tasked with finding a new head of football.

Dave Smith will finally been replaced by the guy in the office next-door.

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