Andrew Abdo, the chief executive of Australia's National Rugby League, is to step down mid-season to take up the same role at Tennis Australia, in a significant move across the country's sporting landscape. His departure was announced at a press conference on Monday, with Abdo confirming he had beaten more than 150 candidates from around the world to succeed Craig Tiley.
Abdo will remain in his current post until 15 July to ensure a smooth transition and to complete upcoming broadcast negotiations alongside Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'landys, who will assume an executive role until a new NRL chief is appointed. V'landys is taking extended leave from his position as Racing NSW chief executive to accommodate the additional duties.
"Leading the NRL has been a privilege and the highlight of my career," Abdo said. "Together we have built a strong, innovative and resilient organisation, expanded the reach of the game and positioned it for an exciting future. The NRL is in a strong position – strategically, commercially and in how it is governed."
Abdo, who succeeded Todd Greenberg as NRL chief executive in 2020, has overseen the league's financial consolidation and expansion into Papua New Guinea and Western Australia. His new employer, Tennis Australia, has been seeking a replacement for Tiley since February, when the Australian Open chief announced he would be joining the US Tennis Association. The recruitment process, managed by executive search firm Egon Zehnder, had considered several internal candidates, including chief tennis officer Tom Larner and events chief Stephen Farrow, as well as Tennis Queensland chief executive Cameron Pearson.
Speaking about his new role, Abdo said: "Tennis Australia has a unique role in Australian sport. The Australian Open is already one of the leading sporting events in the world. The opportunity is to keep evolving it – as a global event, as a fan experience, and as a platform that brings more people into the sport." Tennis Australia's annual revenues, driven by the Australian Open, are now around $700 million, behind only the AFL and NRL among Australian sporting bodies.
