Newcastle Knights CEO Phil Gardner to step down clearing path for Peter Parr promotion
Knights CEO Phil Gardner is preparing to stand down after eight years in charge of Newcastle.
The major development has emerged with the Newcastle board working on a succession plan that would include current director of football Peter Parr being elevated into the CEO role.
Parr’s current position would be filled by former NRL referee turned sports administrator Chris James, who moved from the Roosters as head of football operations to the Knights this season as their GM of football operations.
Hugely respected across the game, Parr’s elevation to the most powerful position at the Knights would also eliminate the prospect of the North Queensland Cowboys head hunting the experienced administrator following the sudden resignation of Cowboys CEO Jeff Reibel last week.
Parr spent 19 years at the Cowboys, helping build the club from the ground-up, reaching the pinnacle by helping shape the roster that won the 2015 premiership.
The former NSW State of Origin team manager still has many strong relationships at the club.
Gardner confirmed to News Corp that the club had a plan to change their leadership, which would include his stepping down.
“All well run organisations have succession planning in place,” Gardner said.
“Wests Group has a plan in place across all our executive positions. The Newcastle Knights succession plan includes Peter Parr becoming CEO and Chris James to head of football.
“All decisions and the timelines will be determined by the Wests Group board of directors.”
Speculation surrounding Gardner’s future has gained momentum ever since Parr and the club’s head of commercial Lee Smith were sent to Las Vegas last month on a fact-finding mission.
The duo joined other club CEOs at NRL meetings and events. Rival club CEOs made note that Parr had been sent to the US at the specific request of Gardner.
The anticipated decision by Gardner to stand down, likely at the end of the 2025 season, will be viewed with contrasting opinion.
Gardner has overseen the club since 2017 when the Wests Group, of which he is also CEO, took full ownership of the Knights.
With a background in leading profit margins for leagues clubs, Gardner’s inexperience in leading a sporting franchise has often been criticised.
His formative years in the role included a wooden spoon in 2017, the sacking of former coach Nathan Brown and several off-field issues.
He was also key to the appointment of current head coach Adam O’Brien, while he also helped spearhead the club’s opening of a world-class centre of excellence in 2023.
News of Gardner’s impending decision to stand down has also emerged just one week after he signed-off on recruiting Eels five-eighth Dylan Brown to a record 10-year $13 million deal with Newcastle from next season.
