May 25, 2026 — 9:29amAndrew Abdo has resigned from his role as the chief executive of the NRL.Abdo will step aside from one of Australian sport’s most coveted roles after a six-year tenure in which rugby league has enjoyed record crowds and TV ratings, as well as undertaking landmark expansion projects in Papua New Guinea and Perth.Andrew Abdo and Peter V’landys.Getty ImagesAbdo’s decision comes as the NRL conducts critical negotiations around its next broadcast cycle, which expires after the 2027 season.The South African-born administrator has led the game in conjunction with ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys since April 2020, with Abdo taking charge from predecessor Todd Greenberg during the game’s enforced hiatus at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.Abdo, V’landys, and the NRL have been contacted for comment.More to come.Chris Barrett is a senior sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. He is a former South-East Asia correspondent for the Herald and The Age.Connect via X or email.Dan Walsh is a sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners