Grant Mayer has been linked with a return to Manly after a shock exit from Wests Tigers that may open the way for former NSW premier Barry O'Farrell to take over the CEO's job at the joint venture club.
Mayer, whose resignation is effective immediately, became the second NRL chief executive to part company with his club in as many days following Scott Seward's departure from Parramatta on Sunday.
And Fairfax Media has been told that the CEO merry-go-round is yet to stop, with a third club chief executive poised to leave their post in coming days or weeks.
Speculation linking Mayer to the Sea Eagles would suggest that new Manly chief executive Joe Kelly may be that person after just nine months in the job.
Mayer previously worked as the Sea Eagles chief executive from 2006 to 2009 and is believed to have a good relationship with the Penn family, who are the club's major shareholders and late last year wrested control of the board.
While his resignation from the Tigers is understood to have come after a meeting about performance, Fairfax Media has been told that he had recently been eyeing off a possible return to Manly.
Mayer has told friends he is keen to remain involved with the game after previously working for Canterbury as events and operations general manager from 1999 to 2005 before becoming the foundation chief executive of French Super League club, Catalans Dragons.
He also worked as GWS Giants commercial operations general manager for three years before initially joining the Tigers in a similar position in October 2012 and being promoted to chief executive in July 2013 following the departure of Stephen Humphreys.
Wests Tigers chairwoman Marina Go said Mayer had been an asset to the joint-venture clubs for the last two years.
"Wests Tigers would like to thank Grant for his diligence and dedication to the club," Go said. "We look to take the next step in our evolution and a fresh approach to take us to the next level as a professional, world-class sporting organisation. Wests Tigers is looking forward to achieving the goals that are critical for a successful future for the Club, both on-field and off-field."
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Football operations general manager Phil Moss will be acting CEO until a replacement is found.
The Tigers have engaged professional search firm Crown & Marks to help find their next chief executive but O'Farrell has already emerged as a possible candidate.
O'Farrell's business contacts would be beneficial for a club whose financial position has raised speculation about its future in Sydney.
The former NSW premier is a fanatical Wests Tigers supporter and has a close relationship with many at the club and within the code.
A day after announcing his resignation as NSW premier in April last year, O'Farrell tweeted "a new career? #rugbyleague @nrl," alongside a photograph of himself wearing a green and gold Kangaroos blazer that appeared to be from the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.
A betting agency last year ran a book on O'Farrell's next career move, with the role of the next Wests Tigers CEO being favourite.
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Mayer, whose resignation is effective immediately, became the second NRL chief executive to part company with his club in as many days following Scott Seward's departure from Parramatta on Sunday.
And Fairfax Media has been told that the CEO merry-go-round is yet to stop, with a third club chief executive poised to leave their post in coming days or weeks.
Speculation linking Mayer to the Sea Eagles would suggest that new Manly chief executive Joe Kelly may be that person after just nine months in the job.
Mayer previously worked as the Sea Eagles chief executive from 2006 to 2009 and is believed to have a good relationship with the Penn family, who are the club's major shareholders and late last year wrested control of the board.
While his resignation from the Tigers is understood to have come after a meeting about performance, Fairfax Media has been told that he had recently been eyeing off a possible return to Manly.
Mayer has told friends he is keen to remain involved with the game after previously working for Canterbury as events and operations general manager from 1999 to 2005 before becoming the foundation chief executive of French Super League club, Catalans Dragons.
He also worked as GWS Giants commercial operations general manager for three years before initially joining the Tigers in a similar position in October 2012 and being promoted to chief executive in July 2013 following the departure of Stephen Humphreys.
Wests Tigers chairwoman Marina Go said Mayer had been an asset to the joint-venture clubs for the last two years.
"Wests Tigers would like to thank Grant for his diligence and dedication to the club," Go said. "We look to take the next step in our evolution and a fresh approach to take us to the next level as a professional, world-class sporting organisation. Wests Tigers is looking forward to achieving the goals that are critical for a successful future for the Club, both on-field and off-field."
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\
Football operations general manager Phil Moss will be acting CEO until a replacement is found.
The Tigers have engaged professional search firm Crown & Marks to help find their next chief executive but O'Farrell has already emerged as a possible candidate.
O'Farrell's business contacts would be beneficial for a club whose financial position has raised speculation about its future in Sydney.
The former NSW premier is a fanatical Wests Tigers supporter and has a close relationship with many at the club and within the code.
A day after announcing his resignation as NSW premier in April last year, O'Farrell tweeted "a new career? #rugbyleague @nrl," alongside a photograph of himself wearing a green and gold Kangaroos blazer that appeared to be from the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.
A betting agency last year ran a book on O'Farrell's next career move, with the role of the next Wests Tigers CEO being favourite.
_Posted using RoarFEED 4.2.0_
