Former NRL chief Todd Greenberg says he remains a rugby league fan despite his acrimonious departure
Former NRL chief Todd Greenberg says he remains a fan of rugby league despite the acrimonious nature of his departure.
Former NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg says he remains a fan of rugby league despite the acrimonious nature of his departure from the game.
Greenberg, flanked by his wife and two children, spoke outside his home in Sydney on Wednesday morning, having parted ways with the NRL earlier this week after four years at the helm of the game.
Asked whether he felt he had been a scapegoat for recent dramas in the game, Greenberg said: “People will make those decisions themselves.
“My personal view is that in a role like this, you always take criticism. I have said this on a number of occasions…. it is not a popularity contest.
“I understand that. But it has been a hell of a journey. We have loved it. My family and I have made lifelong friendships. My wife and I have travelled the world, we have seen and met people we never thought we would meet. The number of messages I have received in the past 48 hours has been just mind-blowing. It has been a great journey but ultimately sport is a tough industry.
“Rugby league is no different ... it is brutal on the field and more brutal off it. But that is okay, I have had a great ride.”
Greenberg was off contract at the end of this year but his days became numbered as he lost the support of the clubs, the Nine Network and ultimately ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys.
“You can’t look through the prism of hindsight — you do what you think is best at the time,” Greenberg said.
“Everyone is human — you are going to make mistakes occasionally. One thing people know about me — I was always upfront, I was always direct, I was always honest.
“I was always prepared to front the media in good and bad times. I always did it with the game’s best interests at heart. That always comes with criticism.
“There are a lot of things I am proud of. First of all it has been a great privilege and honour to work in the game, certainly to serve as the CEO for as long as I have.
“When I reflect on it, things like the advent of the women’s game …I hope to see that prosper in the years to come.
“Sitting at the 2017 grand final and watching Macklemore perform and the inclusiveness of the sport portrayed.
“In more recent times, I think the worth game has done on concussions and protocols around players has been world class.
“There are a lot of things I am proud of. It has been a wild ride and I have enjoyed every part of it.”
Greenberg said he was looking forward to spending some time with his family before beginning the next stage of his career. “There is another chapter for me,” he said.
“I am going to have a good rest before I think about that. I love the game. I have loved the game since I was a little boy. I will continue to be its greatest fan.
“As will my family. We will watch all the games. I walk away being a great fan of rugby league and that will always continue.”
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