When your chairman is trying to do deals to keep you on as ceo the writing is probably on the wall. Vlandy's doesn't rate Greenberg, if he becomes chair Paul White will be firmly in line to be appointed ceo. I think Beattie has in all likelihood been tapped on the shoulder and advised he doesn't have the numbers to remain chair come february next year and is looking for a way to give himself a soft landing and a legacy, hence declaring he will be a martyr for the removal of the 3yr rule.
Peter Beattie ready to walk away for Peter V’landys to chair ARLC
ARL Commission chair Peter Beattie has told senior figures within the game that he is ready to walk away and allow Peter V’landys to take over as part of a new leadership structure with NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg.
Beattie, who met Queensland Rugby League chair Bruce Hatcher yesterday as he stepped up attempts to remove the three-year stand-down rule for club and state officials to join the commission, has been at the helm of the game for more than 18 months.
However, The Weekend Australian has been told by several sources that Beattie had confirmed he would stand down as chair in February if he could convince the clubs and states to allow officials currently within the game to make an immediate leap to the commission.
It is understood he is cognisant of the fact that his desire to change the rules around the commission is likely to put him off-side with many in the game, and effectively make it difficult for him to stay as chair, although he may remain as a commissioner.
Beattie has told powerbrokers that his preference would be to see V’landys take over and guide the game through the next round of broadcast negotiations. It is understood Beattie would also like to see Greenberg’s contract extended for a further two years.
Greenberg’s current contract expires next month, although he has a two-year option that either party can take up early next year.
Greenberg has been in the crosshairs of late but there is a belief where Beattie is concerned that the game needs continuity at the top, hence his desire to keep Greenberg in charge.
Beattie faces a mountainous challenge to change the rules governing the commission. As it stands, club and state officials must spend three years out of the game before they can join the commission.
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That puts a line through some of the most qualified people in the code, most notably South Sydney chair Nick Pappas, his Sydney Roosters counterpart Nick Politis, Melbourne chair Bart Campbell and North Queensland powerbroker Laurence Lancini.
Beattie is desperate to change the rules but the threshold to make alterations to the constitution is significant. In order to bring about change, Beattie must convince the two states and 15 of the 16 clubs to agree to alter the constitution.
Beattie started that process by holding talks with Hatcher yesterday. Hatcher has previously decided to support reform while the states go unrepresented on the commission.
“He and I met and we talked about constitutional reform and governance reform,” Beattie said.
“He and I are keen to talk to all the other leaders of the game.
“If we can get some agreement, which is what we are going to try to do with all the clubs and states, we will call a meeting and change the rules.
“I am absolutely determined that we have to change the three-year rule and if there needs to be some other sensible governance changes at the same time, we need to do it.
“The current rules are restricting and impairing the game. We have to get the governance and constitutional organisation for the game right for it to have the future it needs.
“We are facing more challenges now in the game than ever before.”
V’landys is also the chief executive of Racing NSW, having been lauded for his work in that industry.
There is a belief among some that he has the hard edge required to butt heads with broadcasters as the game seeks to maximise the television dollar in a changing landscape.
The current broadcasting deals run until the end of 2022 but The Australianrecently revealed that the commission and NRL had discussed potentially beginning talks as soon as next year.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sp...c/news-story/9ac58bb736dfce998abd5024b5847da4
