David Smith - ARL Commission CEO

[gothabull]

Too right titanic the papers are always making stuff up worse than a soap opera

[Coaster]

Agree totally with Titanic.

If the bloke doesn't know the Australian captain in 12 months time. That is a story, slothfield is a hack. Him and Badel are what's wrong with this sport. They are leeches, that contribute nothing yet take everything.

[DIEHARD]

I don't see it as the end of the world. But surely these gotcha questions should have been preempted and the ARL should have produced a document with at least the top players on it. Give him something to read on his flight.

Although he could have also done this himself. But he was left option to some cheap shots.

But that said. I agree. I think he will be an exceptionally fast learner.

[Ryan]

I hate to be negative here, it's usually not the way I look at things. But to be pefectly honest - I am **** scared for the future of the NRL. From the decisions and performance of the commission to date, to the appointment of our new CEO - Our administrators have already demonstrated that they are out of touch with the game, and adding a foreign banker to the head of that table doesn't do much for me.

I hope he proves me wrong

And as I've just posted in another thread, I hope (but realistically doubt) he could emulate Dana White from the UFC. That guy lives and breathes the UFC on all levels. Rugby League constantly cops the "Thugs Sport" line on a monthly basis, yet Dana has been able to promote and grow cage fighting world wide with no such tarnish. It has grown from a sport that could barely get a show on a small time cable channel, to a multi-billion dollar sport on all corners of the globe.

The show ponies get exposed, the wannabes don't even make it that far, and the lime light leeches just don't get given the time of day. Last weeks fight between GSP & Condit was another demonstartion of the pure sportsman competition that the world craves - The UFC not only delivered in full, but added another one to look forward to. Whether it's fighting or ball sports you are interested in, it's a fair & hard competition that you want to see. I just don't see how an ex-banker is going to deliver that....

[GC_Titans_Fan]

They hired a businessman to become the next NRL CEO. A business man who has shown in the past he can grow businesses nationally and internationally and run those business effectively in good times and bad times. He has already shown he won't give the media much time when they play their pathetic little games and has shown support for the game. The fact that he is a foreigner or the fact that he is a banker shouldn't and doesn't play against him.

The people who hired him are also strong business people who have grown also know how to grow businesses. The only people I have seen say this is a negative are the regular offenders that write in the poor excuse's for a newspaper. I fail to see how the administrators are out of touch with the game, apart from banning the shoulder charge and looking at the medical and legal evidence, doing this probably will save the game being taken to the cleaners through court.

As for UFC, that is high on my list for most thuggery sport & plenty of people I spoken to as well. Heck, there are millions of people world wide that call boxing thuggery. I would go as far to say that if you compare the UFC to Gladiators fighting lions or each other for the entertainment of the crowd ... well there isn't much difference.

[Chaos]

As for UFC, that is high on my list for most thuggery sport & plenty of people I spoken to as well. Heck, there are millions of people world wide that call boxing thuggery. I would go as far to say that if you compare the UFC to Gladiators fighting lions or each other for the entertainment of the crowd ... well there isn't much difference.

Thats exactly what it is...I don't see your point!

[Titanic]

I think GCTF is in agremeent with you.

[Ryan]

They hired a businessman to become the next NRL CEO. A business man who has shown in the past he can grow businesses nationally and internationally and run those business effectively in good times and bad times. He has already shown he won't give the media much time when they play their pathetic little games and has shown support for the game. The fact that he is a foreigner or the fact that he is a banker shouldn't and doesn't play against him.

The people who hired him are also strong business people who have grown also know how to grow businesses. The only people I have seen say this is a negative are the regular offenders that write in the poor excuse's for a newspaper. I fail to see how the administrators are out of touch with the game, apart from banning the shoulder charge and looking at the medical and legal evidence, doing this probably will save the game being taken to the cleaners through court.

As for UFC, that is high on my list for most thuggery sport & plenty of people I spoken to as well. Heck, there are millions of people world wide that call boxing thuggery. I would go as far to say that if you compare the UFC to Gladiators fighting lions or each other for the entertainment of the crowd ... well there isn't much difference.

Last I checked, Lloyds were trying to offload $2B of bad debt. Maybe there are a few clubs that could lend David's experience in that field, but other than that he is now in the business of selling entertainment - not bad mortgages. Those other 'strong businessmen' who hired him, just wrote off the biggest selling point our game has had over the last 30yrs. Walk into any business, take their best product off the shelf and see how they fare. ****ing idiots

Dana White quite simply took the UFC back to basics by selling the people what they wanted to buy - by showing them what they wanted to see. No if's, no but's - the business is built around what the spectators want to see, not the fear of irrelevant litigation happening in another sport.

And yes, the Romans caught onto it 2000yrs ago. Looks like the basics of human entertainment haven't changed
When the NRL experiences the growth and income of the UFC - it'll be nothing more than a wet dream!

[Coaster]

Jebus Ryan, comparing Dana White with this bloke is not fair.

For starters White is a fight promoter, who has about 30 fighters all ranked on ability, and all he has to do is pick 2 that are close and Make money out of it.

League for the first time in forever is all under 1 banner, but all those old factions are still at play, we need a negotiator to be able to combine the wishes of the board, while still keeping all 16 NRL clubs happy, making the NSWRL and QRL happy, and keeping the ARL and International Leagues happy, and some how making Junior footy stronger, and CRL stronger.

To me that is not a job for a promotor.

[TITAN PETE]

Smith relishing task of leading ARLC

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By Ian McCullough and Wayne Heming AAP Fri, Nov 23, 2012 - 6:00 PM


His name may say otherwise but the new ARL Commission's chief executive insists he's no ordinary Dave.

More than five months after David Gallop was shown the door, banking heavyweight Dave Smith was unveiled as the man to lead Rugby League on Friday - then admitted he didn't watch a live game this year.

Born in a British Army hospital in Germany 44 years ago, Smith grew up in rugby union-mad Pontypridd in South Wales, a mining town that gave the world Tom Jones and where Land Of Our Fathers, the principality's stirring national anthem, was penned.

It's not a background traditionally associated with the self-proclaimed greatest game of all, but Smith said living in Sydney for the past nine years had left him in no doubt he'd taken on "the best job in Australia."

"I love rugby league, I'm a fan of rugby union, I'm a fan of all sports," Smith told a packed media conference at Rugby League Central.

"I watch all sports. I really enjoyed the grand final, I thought the State Of Origin series was probably some of the most competitive matches I've ever watched."

He'll start on February 1 after serving out his notice as chief executive of Lloyds Bank International - a role covering businesses across ten countries.

Smith's working life began in the counter-terrorism arm of the British Army before joining the corporate world at London-based investment Bank Morgan and Grenfel in 1987.

Senior management positions with Deutsche Bank and UBS followed before being recruited to lead the Bank Of Scotland's Treasury in Australia.

Despite this white collar experience, Smith was at pains to point out he was very much Dave not David, and insisted he doesn't fit the stereotypical image of a banker.

He also dismissed reports he'd little interest in league before his appointment.

"For it to be reported that I am not a fan is misleading," he said.

"I've spent six months on a plane this year so I have not had time to watch a game live.

"But I would always watch rugby league on the telly or, if I get the chance, go to a game."

While he may not be steeped in the traditions of the game like previous administrators, Smith's stellar resume is one of a serious player in the business world.

ARLC chairman John Grant said Smith's arrival would only be good for the game.

"He understands the importance of corporate brand marketing and social media in building a new business brand and that's what we see the NRL becoming," Grant said.

"He knows business, he knows how to lead and he loves sport and is culturally suited to our game. We're certain he'll do a fantastic job."

Despite admitting to being a proud Welshman, Smith said Australia was now very much home and his support of an unnamed NRL team he and his family had adopted was over.

"My daughters have only ever lived here and they cheer for the Kangaroos and the Wallabies, unless I can bribe them to cheer for Wales," he said.

"My allegiance to any particular team evaporated yesterday but it would be wrong to say who it was."

Brisbane chief executive Paul White, who also came from a corporate background, applauded the appointment.

"His background's very impressive and he's obviously worked very hard to get where he is," White said.

"He's leaving an industry where he's been highly successful and he's taking a risk which to me means he is highly motivated by the challenge which is what I am impressed by."

[GC_Titans_Fan]

Last I checked, Lloyds were trying to offload $2B of bad debt. Maybe there are a few clubs that could lend David's experience in that field, but other than that he is now in the business of selling entertainment - not bad mortgages. Those other 'strong businessmen' who hired him, just wrote off the biggest selling point our game has had over the last 30yrs. Walk into any business, take their best product off the shelf and see how they fare. ****ing idiots

It's fairly common attributed that Lloyds international would be fair worse off if it wasn't for their CEO.

Dana White quite simply took the UFC back to basics by selling the people what they wanted to buy - by showing them what they wanted to see. No if's, no but's - the business is built around what the spectators want to see, not the fear of irrelevant litigation happening in another sport.

And yes, the Romans caught onto it 2000yrs ago. Looks like the basics of human entertainment haven't changed
When the NRL experiences the growth and income of the UFC - it'll be nothing more than a wet dream!

All I have said about the UFC is that in my opinion and many other's, it is a thug sport that promotes violence.

[hammer]

Smith relishing task of leading ARLC

"He understands the importance of corporate brand marketing and social media in building a new business brand and that's what we see the NRL becoming," Grant said.

"He knows business, he knows how to lead and he loves sport and is culturally suited to our game. We're certain he'll do a fantastic job."

"

Sounds to me like a modern CEO who is acutely aware of the changing impact of technologies on everything from television to business. In my opinion it is a little harsh to have so many making judgements on his background rather than what he can hopefully achieve. I personally will judge him on what he does and engages with the rugby league community...essentially how he leads!
I read so many people on this forum heaping praise on our new leader in David May and thus far rightly so as he has engaged and made some shrewd decisions about how he leads our football organisation.
From the quote above I am hopeful that the new ARL Chief Executive is very much in the mould of a Modern CEO...just give him some time to demonstrate this!

[GC_Titans_Fan]

Sounds to me like a modern CEO who is acutely aware of the changing impact of technologies on everything from television to business. In my opinion it is a little harsh to have so many making judgements on his background rather than what he can hopefully achieve. I personally will judge him on what he does and engages with the rugby league community...essentially how he leads!
I read so many people on this forum heaping praise on our new leader in David May and thus far rightly so as he has engaged and made some shrewd decisions about how he leads our football organisation.
From the quote above I am hopeful that the new ARL Chief Executive is very much in the mould of a Modern CEO...just give him some time to demonstrate this!

Where is that bloody like button.

[Coaster]

It's because David May looks a bit like Dana White maybe

[DIEHARD]

A chat with the ARL's incoming CEO - http://www.nrl.com/Video/tabid/10959...1/Default.aspx