Andrew Abdo has stepped down as CEO of the National Rugby League (NRL) to take on a new role with Tennis Australia. His tenure at the NRL, which began in April 2020 as an interim appointment and became permanent in September of that year, was marked by significant achievements. Under his leadership, the NRL outpaced the Australian Football League (AFL) with innovative initiatives such as season-opening matches in Las Vegas. The league also secured substantial revenue through lucrative TV broadcast deals and expanded its reach by introducing two new clubs: the Perth Bears, set to join from next season, and the Papua New Guinea Chiefs, scheduled to enter in 2028.
While the specifics of Abdo’s new position with Tennis Australia have not been officially disclosed, his move follows the resignation of previous CEO Craig Tiley, who will now lead the United States Tennis Association. This transition has come as a surprise to many rugby league fans, as the news broke without prior speculation. Abdo’s departure is a significant loss for the NRL, especially as it prepares for negotiations on its next broadcast deal, which is set to expire at the end of the 2027 season.
Recent data from the Australian Rugby League Commission’s annual report highlights the NRL’s impressive growth during the 2025 season. The league attracted 224.2 million cumulative viewers, representing a 64% increase compared to 2019. Additionally, nearly five million people attended games last year, showcasing the sport’s continued popularity. During Abdo’s time in charge, the NRL Women’s Premiership (NRLW) surpassed the AFL Women’s (AFLW) to become Australia’s leading first-grade women’s football competition.
Abdo, a 49-year-old South African native, took on the role of interim NRL CEO during a challenging period when the sport was recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. His predecessor, Greenberg, resigned as the league struggled to keep the season running, resulting in a shortened schedule and suspended matches after the second round. At the time, ARLC chairman Peter V’landys described the NRL CEO position as one of the most demanding roles in Australian sport, given the diverse and passionate stakeholders involved.
When Abdo was appointed as permanent CEO in September 2020, V’landys praised his commercial acumen, stating, “Andrew has one of the best commercial brains in Australian sport.” He added, “The Commission could not be happier with his work ethic and the way he has led the game through the pandemic. There’s no better person to take rugby league in a new innovative direction.”
Abdo’s resignation also means he will not be involved in the NRL’s ongoing negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement with the Rugby League Players’ Association. There are already discussions about whether V’landys, who has been highly involved in the league’s operations, might take on the CEO role temporarily until a permanent replacement is found.
