Card Shark
Immortal
- Messages
- 32,237
Agree
Register a free account today to become a member of the world's largest Rugby League discussion forum! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
:sarcasm:http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/da...s-ideal-for-role/story-fndujljl-1227576538407
Dave Smith quits as NRL boss: John Ribot seen as ?ideal? for role
October 21, 20158:14am
Peter Badel Chris Garry, The Courier-Mail
FORMER Super League boss John Ribot has been hailed as the administrator with the ?ideal package? to take charge of the NRL in the post-Dave Smith era.
Smith?s shock resignation yesterday sparked mass speculation over his successor, with the ARL Commission vowing to conduct a global search for his replacement.
NRL head of football Todd Greenberg has been flagged as a potential candidate, but former Storm CEO Chris Johns last night urged the ARLC to consider the merits of Ribot.
The Broncos? foundation CEO, Ribot boasts a diverse sporting and corporate resume. He was a director of the Storm and served as chairman of A-League side Brisbane Roar and the Victorian Major Events company.
Now 60, Ribot is executive chairman of Queensland Clubs Management, which owns hospitality venues throughout Queensland.
Johns was Ribot?s right-hand man during the Super League war but the former Broncos centre said the code should put aside old wounds to appoint the controversial executive.
?There?s not many people who could tick all the boxes but one guy who can do it is John Ribot,? Johns said.
?Reebs would be an outstanding candidate, he has the ideal package for the NRL CEO role.
?John has a huge vision. He has a lot of experience dealing with media moguls, he?s been on the major events board of Melbourne for the last 10 years, he understands the game and has a passion for grassroots.
?I accept the only problem is he has baggage from the Super League era and some people from that time might have lingering wounds.
?But everyone has to forget about past baggage. We should get the best possible person to take us to the next level and I think John Ribot can do that with his skill set.?
Johns said Ribot has extensive experience in negotiating major deals and could deliver a palatable broadcasting deal for the NRL.
?We need someone who can understand TV rights and John fits that bill,? he said.
?Ultimately, they need to find the best possible person and if that means looking overseas for the best candidate, so be it.
?John has the right mix of rugby league and business acumen and it?s important to have the latter so we don?t get knocked off again by the AFL on the TV rights deal.?
Queensland Rugby League managing director Rob Moore said the code needed another businessman like Smith to run the game, rather than reverting to a rugby league administration veteran.
Moore, who ruled himself out of the running for the NRL chief executive role, said there were enough league minds in the game.
?We need people with business acumen in those positions and Dave brought that,? Moore said.
?You could argue we need a person who has knowledge of the game but I debate that sometimes.
?I expect we will have an opportunity to talk to the consultants and provide our thoughts and what we would like to see.
?There are enough people employed in the game with football minds. We need more people in the game who understand business.?
I use to click on the News Ltd rags once until advice from my more learned friends on these forums, and only click on the SMH now.
