NRL CEO Andrew Abdo Resigns Mid-Season to Lead Tennis Australia

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has announced his shock mid-season resignation to lead Tennis Australia (TA).

TA had been on the lookout for a new chief executive after Craig Tiley announced in February that he was stepping down this year to become head of the US Tennis Association.

Abdo's resignation comes as the NRL stands on the cusp of unprecedented expansion, welcoming teams in Perth and PNG in 2027 and 2028, respectively.

Abdo will stay with the NRL until July 15 to help complete broadcast negotiations, with Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V'landys replacing Abdo until a new CEO is in place.

"Leading the NRL has been a privilege and the highlight of my career," Abdo said.

"Together we have built a strong, innovative and resilient organisation, expanded the reach of the game and positioned it for an exciting future.

"Rugby league has given me opportunities I could only have dreamed of, experiences that cannot be compared and I have made friendships for a lifetime. It has been an honour to be part of the rugby league family.

"The NRL is in a strong position — strategically, commercially and in how it is governed.

"The game doesn't stand still, and it shouldn't. The game means so much to so many and the future of rugby league has never been more exciting. I look forward to watching that continued success from the outside."

A collective bargaining agreement with the Rugby League Players' Association is up for renewal after the 2027 NRL season.

Abdo took charge of the NRL in April 2020 and helped the league navigate the competition's COVID-enforced shutdown and subsequent resumption that May.

Under Abdo's leadership, the NRL has executed its daring plan to open the season with matches in Las Vegas, a deal that also runs out after 2027.

The league has introduced major changes to its rule-book on Abdo's watch, most notably introducing the divisive set-restart rule.

Abdo was also chief executive when the NRL expanded for the first time since 2007, introducing the Dolphins for the 2023 season.

Prior to replacing Todd Greenberg as chief executive, Abdo had served as the NRL's chief commercial officer from 2013 until 2020, and previously worked in the corporate sector.

Tiley had worked at TA since starting as the player development chief in 2005.

He became the Australian Open tournament director the following year and CEO in 2013 and had been easily Australia's highest-paid sports administrator with a multi-million-dollar salary.

Most of the movers and shakers in Australian tennis are in Paris for the French Open, which started on Sunday.