Greek – Australian AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou has announced that he will quit the role at the end of the 2014 season, his 11th at the helm.
Mike Fitzpatrick, Chairman of the AFL Commission, announced Demetriou’s resignation at a press conference which began at 10am at AFL House.
Fitzpatrick said that Demetriou had been a “significant force in our competition” and had presided over “a period of extraordinary growth”.
Demetriou he will leave the game after 11 years as the game’s most powerful figure, with his decision to resign coming after his most challenging 12 months, which was dominated by the Essendon supplements scandal.
Demetriou, who took over from Wayne Jackson as League CEO in 2003, served as chief executive of the AFL Players Association between 1998 and 2000 and was then AFL football operations manager.
Demetriou said he told Fitzpatrick of his intention to quit when they were both at the NFL Super Bowl on February 2, having held discussions on a transition since 2012.
“Every organisation needs renewal, needs a new set of eyes.
“I’ve always said it was a privilege and an honour to serve the game.
“I also believe the time is right.
“The growth of the game has been extraordinary.
“It’s been a wonderful journey full of challenges but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
And he noted, “I leave the game with no regrets.”
Andrew Demetriou (born 14 April 1961) is an Greek – Australian businessman, sports administrator, and former Australian rules football player. Demetriou played 103 games for the North Melbourne Football Club between 1981 and 1987, finishing his playing career with a three-game stint for Hawthorn in 1988. Chairing several companies after his retirement from playing, he was appointed CEO of the AFL Players Association in 1998, and was responsible for negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players. Demetriou was made CEO of the AFL in 2003, replacing Wayne Jackson. In his role as head of the AFL Commission, he has been responsible for a number of changes, including the expansion of the league from 16 to 18 teams, the restructuring of the tribunal system, and the brokering of two new television rights deals.
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