RFL identify frontrunner for CEO role with former NRL club Chief set for top job

The RFL have reportedly earmarked a successor for the role of the governing body’s CEO – and whilst he hails from Australia, he has previous experience in England.

Australian media outlet, the Sydney Morning Herald, have revealed that the RFL have a frontrunner in their minds for the currently vacant role of CEO.

Tony Sutton was the last person to have the job on a full-time basis. The former Hull FC director held that role for just short of three years between December 2022 and Autumn of last year.

Abi Ekoku has been acting as interim CEO since late September, and in his short time has had to deal with the liquidations of Salford Red Devils, Featherstone Rovers and Halifax Panthers, as well as a number of other issues relating to the Super League competition.

However, the role could be filled by former Manly Sea Eagles CEO, Tony Mestrov, who is also a former player at both Wigan and London.

Mestrov, 55, is only a “person of interest” at this stage, and was the Sea Eagles’ Chief from August 2022 until his departure at the end of 2025.

His time at Manly has been full of action and key decision making, including the legal claim by Des Hasler against the club, the inquest into the death of former player Keith Titmuss, and the exit of legendary skipper Daly Cherry-Evans.

He has prior experience at Hockey NSW, where he was CEO, and held the same position at Greyhounds NSW. He has also been the COO (Chief Operating Officer) at Gold Coast Titans.

With the NRL wanting to have some sort of administrative control over Super League, in a bid to help restore and improve the Northern Hemisphere competition, having an Australian in the position would be one step towards that feat.