NRL bombshell as Abdo resigns to join rival code

• The NRL has called a press conference at 3:30pm AEST

Andrew Abdo has reportedly quit his position as NRL CEO.

Abdo has been in the role since April 2020 after taking over from Todd Greenberg.

It is expected that Abdo will take up the vacant CEO position at Tennis Australia left by Craig Tiley at the start of the year.

Across his six years in charge, the South African has overseen profound changes within the competition, having helped introduce the Las Vegas season opener alongside the entry of the Dolphins in 2023, and the expected arrivals of the Perth Bears (2027) and PNG Chiefs (2028).

As the news broke, SEN’s Andrew Voss gave his reaction live on air, believing that he has been a great asset for the game.

“I will say this right from the top,” Voss declared on SEN’s Front Office with Vossy.

“Every dealing I've had with Andrew Abdo, and I don't agree with everything that the NRL does, and (I've) never had a heated argument with him, but have debated things and disagreed on things.

"But I think he's been a great asset to the game. That's my overview of Andrew Abdo.

“I think the way he carries himself, I think he presents the game in a great light.”

This sentiment is shared by Corey Parker, who believes Abdo has left the game in a better place than he found it.

“It comes as a surprise that (he) has resigned from the NRL,” Parker said.

“But in saying that, what he's done for the NRL from when he first entered…he's left it in a better place, so he's done a great job.

“He’s a great operator, he's very accommodating, and ultimately, at the end of the day, the game is in such a good place, and a lot of that's to do with his involvement.

“From a visual perspective, it's changed considerably, hasn't it?

“I mean, you've got the new six again, you've got the new interchange rule, but I think just from a product, from eyeballs on TV screens, he would have seen two broadcast deals.

“I think the game's changed considerably, and they've been at the forefront of ensuring that it's all for the better.

“I think it's pretty fair to say that all the numbers and the metrics and everything around it back up everything they've done.

“He will be missed in the game, and (it's) big shoes to fill whoever comes in.

Parker then threw up a potential candidate, believing former QRL CEO Ben Ikin would make for a suitable candidate.

“I know Ben Ikin, and from what I've seen from Ben Ikin, the game would certainly thrive under his guidance if he was to go into that role,” he added.

“I don't know if it's something that he wants to do, but, if it was to come to fruition, the game would be in great hands with him at the helm anyway.”

More to come.