V'landys set to become rugby league's first executive chairman

Peter V'landys is set to become rugby league's first executive chairman after the ARL Commission endorsed his elevation, with an announcement expected Thursday. The move would merge control of the ARL Commission and NRL executive under V'landys, removing the existing separation of powers, with ARL states and NRL clubs now understood to be on board despite earlier concerns. It follows the NRL's record $5.3 billion broadcast deal, with clubs set to receive over $20 million annually under the new agreement. Wayne Bennett, Peter Beattie and Terry Reader all backed the move, while V'landys' first major initiative could be a $57 million NRL investment into Super League, contingent on Darren Lockyer's London Broncos being promoted.

By Brent Read, Peter Badel, Code Sports — read the full story