The 50 most influential people in rugby league in 2025 ranked

Player power has muscled its way into rugby league’s most influential list of 2025 as some of the biggest and most respected names in the code fell out of the rankings for the first time. See our 50 to 1 rankings here.

Who are the most influential people in rugby league?

Nathan Cleary reigns supreme on and off the field with the four-time premiership winner the most influential person in the game.

Cleary can dominate the front and back pages with his skill on the field coupled with his high profile relationship with Matildas star Mary Fowler.

Peter V’landys sits just behind Cleary in the No.2 spot while other high profile players including Reece Walsh, Latrell Mitchell and Kalyn Ponga are inside the top 10.

There have been a number of high-profile omissions since the list last ran two years ago, including South Sydney co-owner Russell Crowe, Immortal Andrew Johns, the NRL’s head of football Graham Annesley and former broadcast giant Ray Hadley.

Originally published as The 50 most influential people in rugby league in 2025 ranked