New NRL CEO vows to unify league community

Todd Greenberg. Photo / AP.

Newly appointed NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has vowed to unify the rugby league community and get more people playing and watching the game.

Greenberg takes over from David Smith, who resigned last October, after the ARL Commission interviewed over 30 candidates for the role and Bulldogs boss Raelene Castle and Warriors CEO Jim Doyle were linked with the job.

Previously the NRL's head of football, Greenberg is seen as a football insider as opposed to former banker Smith who was often at loggerheads with the clubs.

"We are at a key moment in the game's history where we can bring people together," said Greenberg. "I have real clarity about what that looks like."

The former Canterbury chief executive outlined his key objectives as increasing crowds and viewership.

"More people at stadiums, more people in their lounge room watching our broadcasts and particularly more people watching through our digital platforms," he said.

"If we get those two key priorities right we will absolutely achieve our potential.

ARL Commission chairman John Grant said there were three key priorities when selecting the new CEO.

He said they should have CEO experience, be a good communicator and have a genuine knowledge and love of rugby league.

"Todd not only ticked all the boxes, he nailed them," Grant said.

Grant also said Greenberg's passion for the game, which includes watching every match of every round, helped make him the obvious choice.

"As Head of Football Todd has been responsible for some of the greatest innovations the game has ever seen.

"I reckon it's the toughest corporate job in Australia.

"The ability to remain calm under pressure has to be fundamental." Greenberg addressed the game's most pressing immediate fixture, the salary cap investigation into Parramatta.

"I know people want us to move quickly. We are moving as quickly as we can but we've got to deal with facts."