NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has ‘mutually agreed’ with the ARL Commission to end his employment with the league

The four year reign of NRL CEO Todd Greenberg is over with the league boss ending his employment today amid speculation.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 05: NRL Chief Executive Todd Greenberg is seen before the commencement of the 2020 NRL season launch at The Venue on March 05 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

Todd Greenberg has stood down as the NRL CEO as of today after he and the ARL Commission “mutually agreed” to part ways.

It comes after weeks of speculation and frustration aimed at Greenberg.

He has largely been the face of the NRL’s budget blackhole and bloated front office, but has publicly taken a back seat in negotiations with broadcasters as the game deals with the threat of the coronavirus.

In a statement released by the NRL, Greenberg paid tribute to the game.

“It has been my great honour and privilege to be the CEO of the NRL for the last 4 years,” the statement read. “Despite the variety of challenges and pressures I have loved every single minute of the journey. Our growth over the last 4 years has been extraordinary and I am very proud of my contribution to the game.

"I am indebted to the game for the variety of opportunities and experiences that have been provided to my family and I, and we leave with many great memories and life long friendships.

"My sincere thanks to all the stakeholders across the game, particularly the fans who are the lifeblood of rugby league. Their unwavering passion for the game is wonderful.

"I remain in awe of the players skill and bravery to play this game week in and week out & I thank all of them, both past and present for their friendship and support.

"My thanks also to the staff and Executive team at the NRL. It has been an absolute honour to lead this team of talented, resilient and hard working professionals.”

Todd Greenberg has seemingly fallen on his sword.

Andrew Abdo has been appointed as acting CEO while the search begins for a new CEO.

ARLC Chairman Mr Peter V’landys, who has been the face of the NRL during the coronavirus crisis thanks Greenberg for his work in the role.

“The role of Chief Executive of the NRL is one of the most challenging and difficult roles in Australian sport, with a diversity of passionate stakeholders,” V’landys said. “ARLC thanks Todd for his contribution to the game over the last 7 years and as Chief Executive for the last four years”.

Greenberg’s role has been on a knifes edge over the past few weeks after copping much of the blame for the NRL’s current predicament.

Financially, the NRL is a precarious position despite billion dollar TV deals, while the front office has been accused of wasteful spending.

Similarly, his relationship with clubs has been increasingly strained, with the Warriors vocal in criticism as the team works out what life in Sydney will look like for the New Zealand club.

The reaction was swift.

The Australian’s Brent Read joined Triple M’s The Rush Hour with MG and said it seemed to be the game resolving an issue before the ARL Commission met tomorrow.

He said it was a series of issues including fractured relationships with teams, negotiations with players and issues with Channel 9 all culminated in the issues.

The announcement came soon after Channel 9 CEO Hugh Marks told 2GB Radio on Monday the game needed to return in some form. “Rugby league restarting is one of those things we need to make sure happens as part of getting through this and getting out the other side into a recovery,” the Nine CEO told 2GB.

After slamming the league for its bloated head office, Marks said he wanted more investment in the grassroots.

“One thing I want to see come out of this is that investment goes back into club footy,” Marks said.

“It’s the tribalism of rugby league that is its greatest strength. Investment in clubs, players and those communities I think has been underdone for some years.

“That’s something I’m agitating to make sure is part of the recovery so we can see a sport that we think has a great long-term future that warrants our investment in it.”

Todd Greenberg looks on at Peter V’landys.

Speaking on Fox Sports News, former NRL great and Fox League analyst Braith Anasta said “the writing was on the wall”.

He said the financial state of the league was one of the biggest reason behind the move as “it’s really exposed the game” but while he was surprised by the sudden nature of the move, it wasn’t a surprising move.

“To an extent I’m a bit surprised that he’s been stood down at this time, I thought that maybe we could get through this, get the players on the field and then it would happen but at the same time it’s a chance to wipe the slate clean,” he said. “I do hear that there is going to be a major restructure of the NRL and Peter V’landys will be behind that and this is a major step in this direction.”

Anasta also pointed to his relationship with players, having backflipped after negotiating a reduction in the players’ salaries if the game didn’t get back on the field and only volunteering a 25 per cent cut himself.

He backtracked and took the same cut as the players after criticism. But the league’s retirement fund mismanagement was also a big moment.

“The fact the NRL hadn’t been paying the players into the right fund for these guys when they do retire was mind-boggling,” Anasta said. “I couldn’t believe that, I’m sure the RLPA couldn’t believe that at the time, and Peter V’landys seemed to be doing everything he could to put the fire out.”

The social media reaction was swift but positive for Greenberg with many surprised by the swiftness of the move.

Congratulations to @Todd_Greenberg for standing up to the useless, greedy Clubs most of which couldn't run a business to save their lives. Every Chairman has buckled to their demands. Sad day. @FOXNRL @NRLonNine @NRL @FOXNRL

— Chris Smith (@chrissmithonair) April 20, 2020

I agree 100% Shane. It’s a brutal sport both on an off the field. I have no doubt he will land on his feet.

— Grant Mayer (@gcmayer) April 20, 2020

Todd Greenberg steps down as CEO for the NRL for his ridiculous spending. Immediately takes a role in the Real Housewives of Sydney.

— Ryan Fitzgerald (@FitzySA) April 20, 2020

Todd Greenberg becomes the first of many victims for mass over-spending at NRL HQ. Always enjoyed dealing with him but the lack of financial security in the game, exposed by COVID-19, was always going to bring him down. Won't be the last.

— Chris Garry (@ChrisGarry7) April 20, 2020

Todd Greenberg stands down. Obvously saw the writing on the wall. no use prelonging the agony #NRL @10NewsFirst @10NewsFirstSyd @10Daily

— Bernie Coen (@berniecoen) April 20, 2020

Todd Greenberg deserved so much better. Wow

— Matt Bungard (@TheMattBungard) April 20, 2020

Not sure if it’s commiserations or mazel tov for Todd Greenberg as he leaves the @nrl. @PeopleOfTheBoot

— Ashley Browne (@hashbrowne) April 20, 2020

@Todd_Greenberg is a good man. Deserved a better ending. ✊🏻 #NRL

— Craig Norenbergs (@CraigNorenbergs) April 20, 2020

Anasta took aim over the weekend saying Greenberg had been silenced and Greenberg “will be there no longer”.

“We can’t believe where the NRL finds itself,” Anasta said. “That’ why we get to start fresh, Peter V’landys is the right leader to run this business. His relationship with broadcasters is important because the broadcast rights are up in 2022, so there’s a lot going on behind the scenes. I think he’s doing everything possible to make sure this game of ours is run like a business and we can have some assets moving forward and never find ourselves in position again. It’s a real wake up call for the game.”

ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys has left Greenberg behind.

Greenberg’s role in the NRL has been under the microscope in the past few weeks with The Australian‘s Brent Read reporting last week that the game’s management team have shared in the best part of $6 million for the past five years, including Greenberg’s million dollar salary.

Speaking on Triple M on April 11, Paul Kent also took aim at Greenberg in particular after Channel 9’s stunning attack on the league before broadcast negotiations last week.

He labelled Greenberg “totally delusional” to try to weather the storm and lashed the executive for his handling of the issue.

“It’s all bullshit in all honesty,” Kent said on Triple M Rocks NRL. “To sit down and say ‘it’s water off a ducks back, I’m not here to be popular’ when your game’s second biggest funder … to sit there and dismiss the criticism is delusional, totally delusional.

“I don’t think there’s anywhere for Todd Greenberg to go except for to resign because the fact is Channel 9 have clearly indicated they’ve got no faith in him, he’s already on the outs with News Limited with the way he’s handled things in recent times.”