Several outlets report that Andrew Abdo, the chief executive of the National Rugby League, is set to leave the NRL mid-season to take up the CEO position at Tennis Australia. The Guardian says Abdo resigns after taking charge of the NRL in April 2020, with a formal announcement scheduled at a press conference. Tennis Australia’s leadership change follows the stepping down of Craig Tiley in February, leaving a position vacant, and multiple reports describe Abdo as the expected successor to lead Australian tennis.
ABC Australia adds detail on the likely scope of Abdo’s new role, suggesting he is unlikely to take on the “double workload” of running both Tennis Australia and the Australian Open tournament at the same time. The Brisbane Times, the Sydney Morning Herald, and The Age describe expectations within rugby league circles that Abdo will be appointed as the new head of Tennis Australia, noting his six-year tenure as NRL CEO and earlier role as chief commercial officer. The final leadership structure at Tennis Australia is described as still unclear pending announcements.
