Peter V’landys calms conflict fears on way to ARL Commission chair

There is unanimous support for the elevation of Peter V’landys to the position of ARL Commission chair.

Racing NSW chief executive and incoming chair of the ARL Commission, Peter V'landys. Picture: Getty Images

Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys meticulously addressed claims of conflicts of interest with his fellow ARL commissioners ­behind closed doors on Monday morning.

By the time he had finished there was unanimous support for his ascent to rugby league’s throne.

V’landys will replace Peter Beattie as chairman of the ARL Commission on October 31, having been earmarked for the top job by the man he will replace. Beattie will stay on the commission but he felt it was time for V’landys to be confirmed in the top job.

This was for two reasons.

Firstly, some within the game are hellbent on reforming the commission and a meeting with club bosses on Thursday will be crucial to that process. Beattie felt if that was to gain any traction — he appears to be fighting a losing battle — it would be helpful for the clubs to know that a new chairman is on the way.

Secondly, Beattie felt the transition would be smoother if ­V’landys and the clubs had time to prepare for the handover. So Beattie called a secret meeting on Monday morning where the commission approved a change that was first mooted in The Weekend Australian last month.

There had been accusations of conflicts of interest against V’landys, some centring on the fact that both his positions — on the commission and at Racing NSW — ­demand he fight for a significant slice of the broadcasting and gambling dollar.

There seems little evidence to substantiate claims that the dual roles have had a negative impact on rugby league. The clubs will be given an update on the game’s ­financial situation on Thursday, where it will be shown that sponsorship and gambling revenue is up 6 per cent so far this year.

“He went through each one of these (alleged conflicts of interest) and pointed out there are none,” Beattie said. “Any talk about conflicts is nonsense — made-up nonsense. He led on it. He dealt with it head on, which is his style.

“I’ve sat on the commission with Peter for 18 months — I didn’t know him before that — and I’ve seen everything he does. He’s not only strategic but acts in an ethical and appropriate way.

“In terms of NSW Racing, they simply buy from Fairfax or News Limited so they are customers. So there’s no conflict with any of the media partners.

“In terms of the gambling issue, the commission has open discussions about these issues. As you know, the NRL in terms of its gambling share (revenue) was behind racing but what he’s done is actually lifted us up.

“I have absolute faith in his ­integrity. As a premier of Queensland in the post-Fitzgerald (police corruption royal commission) era I know exactly about conflicts, and Peter has none. If at any time he found that there was one, I know his ethics are such that he would excuse himself from any decision-making. He is the right person to take this game forward.”

Beattie has also endorsed Todd Greenberg’s retention for a further two years at least, believing he and V’landys are the right men to take the game forward. Most importantly, he believes they can help the game negotiate the next broadcasting agreement. V’landys declined to comment on Monday out of respect for Beattie but there is no question he will be a different style of chairman.

While Beattie was happy to take the lead on myriad issues, V’landys will be happy to work ­behind the scenes and allow Greenberg to be the face of the game. It means the chief executive will be under increasing pressure, albeit with the chance to show he is the man to take the game forward.

“The bottom line is this is a great rugby league because we will have the dream team running the game … that is you’ll have Peter V’landys and his skills as an administrator and Todd Greenberg as chief executive,” Beattie said.

“And together they’ll be able to take the game forward. I believe Peter will be a better chairman than me, particularly when it comes to negotiating a new media deal and strategic planning. If there is someone better to do the job, then you let them do it.”

Beattie has been working feverishly behind the scenes to get ­reform of the commission over the line but it appears to be a forlorn fight.

Queensland Rugby League chairman Bruce Hatcher has proposed a change that would result in the commission reverting to a nine-person body with five independents and two apiece from the states and clubs.

That proposal seems doomed but NSW Rugby League chairman George Peponis may enjoy better fortunes with a plan to have the appointment and reappointment of commissioners to be contingent on the support of 75 per cent of states and clubs.