Andrew Abdo set to be appointed NRL CEO

Having survived — and thrived — in the face of unprecedented challenges to keep the NRL competition going during the COVID-19 pandemic, Andrew Abdo faces another big test.

Andrew Abdo is set to become the NRL’s 13th CEO. Picture: Dan Himbrechts/AAP

Andrew Abdo’s first task as NRL CEO will be to slash $50 million in costs at head office with the 43-year-old poised to become just the 13th CEO in the game’s history.

Having survived — and thrived — in the face of unprecedented challenges to keep the NRL competition going during the COVID-19 pandemic, Abdo’s next task is to convince the ARL commission he’s the man to replace Todd Greenberg long-term.
Abdo will present his vision and formal application for the role to the Commission on Thursday.
A key focus of his pitch will be to show how he intends to streamline the annual spend of the NRL.

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Andrew Abdo is set to become the NRL’s 13th CEO. Picture: Dan Himbrechts/AAP

Abdo was appointed interim CEO in April, taking over from Greenberg at the height of uncertainty surrounding both the immediate and long-term future of the game.
Despite working for the NRL since 2013, Abdo has largely remained in the background.
South African-born and educated, Abdo joined rugby league to work alongside long-time marketing chief Paul Kind.
He then worked on strategy under head of operations Jim Doyle before becoming a key advisor to former CEO David Smith.

Andrew Abdo’s first task as NRL CEO will be to slash $50 million in costs at head office. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

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He then moved back into the commercial department where his profile and responsibilities grew.
Abdo has been key in taking non-broadcast revenue from $144 million in 2016 to $204 million at the end of last season.

He was also the driving force behind American rapper Macklemore’s high-profile grand final appearance in 2017, plus this year’s updated ‘Simply the Best’ marketing campaign.

Andrew Abdo was the driving force behind American rapper Macklemore’s high-profile grand final appearance in 2017. Picture: Adam Head

Since taking over in the interim role, he has impressed the people that matter within the halls of League Central, both with his work-ethic, commercial-minded approach to decision-making and his level-headedness during the code’s COVID-19 crisis.
Abdo has metered mass fines to some of the game’s biggest names including Wayne Bennett and Souths star Latrell Mitchell for bubble breaches.
His front-foot approach to manage allegations of racial abuse towards Penrith’s Brent Naden also showed his capabilities as a forthright leader for the sport.
Abdo’s elevation into the full-time CEO role appears a mere formality, but it’s up to the ARL Commission to rubber-stamp rugby league’s new boss.

Originally published as Andrew Abdo set to be appointed NRL CEO