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V'landys sets sights on overseas moves in new NRL role
Scott Bailey, AAP • September 24th, 2026 6:00 pm
Peter V'landys has left racing and is set to take on the most powerful role in rugby league | Photo: Robbie Stephenson/AAP
Peter V'landys has promised to take rugby league to the world after being handed the most powerful role in the sport since the end of the Super League war.
Hours after resigning as Racing NSW chief executive on Thursday, V'landys was officially appointed as the NRL's first executive chairman.
The veteran administrator did not front a media conference, but in a statement made clear his desire for the next era of the NRL and the possibility of a global round.
"I am honoured every day to have the opportunity to give something back to rugby league and could not be more excited for the game's future," V'landys said.
Since taking over as ARL Commission chairman in 2019, V'landys has become the increasingly dominant figure in rugby league.
But this move will see his role grow even further, effectively replacing former NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo while remaining at the head of the commission.
When Abdo announced his resignation as NRL chief in May, V'landys said only "Superman and Jesus added together" could possibly replace him.
At the time, V'landys refused to enter into speculation if that figure could indeed be him, but signalled he would take leave from Racing NSW in July to be able to dedicate time to the NRL.
Two roles become one: Peter V'landys will remain ARLC chair while replacing Andrew Abdo as NRL CEO | Photo: Dean Sewell/AAP
The 64-year-old has since garnered the support required from the clubs and the states to allow him to take on the role.
Fellow commissioners have also approved the move, which comes months after V'landys and Abdo locked in a $5.3 billion (AUD) media rights agreement over seven years.
In a statement, the NRL said V'landys had "overseen the most successful and transformative period in the game's history" since becoming chair.
"Peter inherited a game with limited reserves and no significant assets, one that had needed an advance from its broadcasters just to pay the clubs and players," V'landys' predecessor and fellow commissioner Peter Beattie said.
"He consistently put the fan first, and the record audiences and the biggest broadcast deal in Australian sport followed."
Since the creation of the independent ARL Commission in 2012, no person has held the role of chairman and executive on a full-time basis.
One of Peter V'landys' first big moments was dealing with the equine influenza outbreak in 2007 | Photo: Dean Lewins/AAP
Even before the introduction of the ARLC, News Corp and the ARL had overseen the NRL following an agreement out of the Super League war.
The ARL Commission confirmed on Thursday it would also establish a governance oversight committee, chaired by Dr Gary Weiss, to ensure compliance of best-practice corporate governance.
V'landys' time as chairman was initially headlined by the NRL's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.
Since then, expansion both at home and abroad has been the constant theme.
V'landys has signalled an intent to go to 20 teams as soon as 2029, while the entry of the PNG Chiefs shapes as the biggest change to the NRL in decades.
The Las Vegas venture has also kicked off a move towards more overseas matches, with the NRL confirming it has games planned for Hong Kong and Japan in 2028.
After the NRL's success in Las Vegas, the league is looking at other overseas ventures | Photo: AP
Meanwhile, V'landys' exit from Racing NSW brings an end to a 22-year rein at the helm of the sport, having previously also spent 17 years as boss of NSW Harness Racing.
He led the racing industry through the equine influenza outbreak, with the creation of The Everest in 2017 among other key legacy pieces.
"Naturally, this is a very sad day for me. I have put my heart and soul into racing for 22 years," V'landys said.
