The 10 key issues V’landys must address as NRL’s first executive chairman

September 18, 2026 — 5:00amPeter V’landys is poised to become the NRL’s first executive chairman, giving him unprecedented control over rugby league. While the game is in strong financial health, we look at the challenges he will have to navigate.NRL boss Peter V’landys is set to become even more powerful.Steven Siewert1. Collective bargaining agreement with the playersThe NRL has set itself up financially by striking a $5.3 billion broadcasting deal, the largest in Australian sporting history. Now everyone wants their share, and the players are the first in the queue. The last CBA negotiation between the NRL and the Rugby League Players’ Association was an ugly and protracted battle that damaged the game. This is a chance to change the narrative by ensuring head office brings the players on the journey with them. The current CBA expires at the end of 2027, leaving limited time to thrash out a new deal.2. Player and fan discontent about rule changesLast year’s finals series was arguably the greatest month of rugby league in decades. Which is why many people were surprised that further rule tweaks were introduced for this season. James Tedesco and Harry Grant have been among a host of big names raising concerns about an increase in the number of set restarts, as well as their inconsistent application. V’landys walked back comments questioning their integrity and welcomed all constructive feedback. “PVL” has made no apologies for introducing rule changes such as the six again, claiming they have made the game more entertaining and resulted in increased broadcast revenue. To his credit, V’landys put the brakes on plans to change the kick-off rule in 2026 after a backlash from clubs. The issue will again be on the agenda in the off-season after a brief trial in matches late in the season proved inconclusive.Harry Grant, Peter V’landys and James Tedesco have had a difference of opinion on rule changes.Getty Images3. Keeping clubs onside as Chiefs raid their talentAll 17 NRL clubs happily accepted a $4 million licence fee in exchange for agreeing to let PNG join the competition in 2028. They did so in the belief the Chiefs would struggle to attract players to Port Moresby, a city with one of the highest crime rates in the world. But after the fledgling franchise lured the likes of Jarome Luai, Zac Lomax, Joey Manu, Brian To’o, Connor Watson and Alex Johnston before they were even on the open market, clubs are up in arms about the tax-free salaries the Chiefs used to land them.In a bid to keep the clubs onside, V’landys has vowed the Chiefs will be required to pay “market value” for their recruits, preventing them from stretching their salary cap even further. However, the issue is certain to create headaches when a player is prepared to take less money to leave their current club, or other teams lodge phantom bids to manipulate what a player is worth on the open market.4. Choosing the 20th teamV’landys has said a 20th NRL licence will be awarded by Christmas. There is a strong financial imperative for that to happen: there is a clause in the $5.3 billion broadcast deal that results in up to $120 million being subtracted from the figure if the game doesn’t expand to 20 teams. Several prospective franchises are lobbying for the licence, with the most likely outcome a new side in either Queensland or New Zealand. V’landys’ insistence that the newbies stump up a $100 million entry fee could narrow the options. Regardless, a major challenge for the game will be ensuring there are enough quality players to spread across the new teams.There is a push for another team in New Zealand.Getty Images5. Grand final locationSydney will again host the NRL grand this year, but the location of the marquee match remains uncertain after that. The ARLC and the NSW Government have been content to lock in the decider on a year-to-year basis, with V’landys floating the prospect of auctioning the game off via an NFL-style bidding war. There are some logistical challenges with keeping the game in the harbour city in 2028; a scheduling clash with Pope Leo XIV’s Sydney visit could force the venue or date to be changed. Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Auckland have each stated a desire to host the day.6. Bunker bloopersReferees are forever on the end of criticism from fans and pundits, but there is even less tolerance for bunker errors. Wayne Bennett called for the bunker to be abolished after Souths were eliminated from the finals, even though the NRL backed the calls of the video referee. The fact is, the bunker is here to stay. However, coaches, players and fans are livid when mistakes are still made despite the use of technology. V’landys identified officiating standards as one of his key priorities upon becoming ARLC chairman in 2019, but the game will never eliminate human error. Another contentious issue is how involved the bunker should be in matches, with some calling for less intervention.Leeds winger Maika Sivo scores against Hull KR in Las Vegas earlier this year. The NRL wants to buy a 50 per cent stake in the UK Super League.Getty Images7. Super League purchaseAfter being exposed financially during COVID, the NRL has attempted to future-proof the game by building an asset base. That has happened predominantly through hotel purchases, but the latest target is the UK Super League competition. There is a $57 million offer on the table to buy a 50 per cent stake, including management rights. Cash-strapped English clubs are close to deciding whether to accept the deal. The NRL wants the game to flourish in England, which is no small task given the majority of clubs are in the red. If the acquisition goes ahead, there’s a chance Australian clubs could purchase a stake in, or partner with, an English franchise.8. Stadium fundingThe opening week of the finals raised several issues about the way Sydney fans consume their football. The NRL shifted Cronulla’s clash with North Queensland from Ocean Protect Stadium to Allianz Stadium, which resulted in only about an additional 2500 fans passing through the turnstiles. V’landys is a huge supporter of suburban grounds, but many of them – including Ocean Protect Stadium, 4 Pines Park, Jubilee Oval and Leichhardt Oval – are barely fit to host first-grade games, let alone finals matches. While Leichhardt is about to get a much-needed upgrade, funding for other projects is proving elusive. It’s a hard sell to pressure the government for more funding when Sydney attendances were disappointing for the opening week of the finals series.Ocean Protect Stadium has been dubbed “Portaloo Park”.Harry Breen9. Global RoundThe Las Vegas experiment has been an extraordinary success, although not in the way most pundits predicted. While the venture hasn’t resulted in an influx of American athletes or gambling dollars, it has more than paid its way by capturing the imagination of Australian fans for the season opener. V’landys wants to keep expanding rugby league’s footprint into new exotic territories, with Hong Kong, Tokyo, Abu Dhabi and Miami among the mooted destinations. Whether the project is feasible given the myriad costs and logistical issues – including the time differences, political upheaval overseas and the tyranny of distance – remains to be seen.10. Political manoeuvringYou don’t become the boss of two major sports simultaneously unless you know how to wheel and deal. V’landys is one of the most shrewd administrators in Australian sporting history, and he knows who to keep onside. To get into the position he has, he’s had to get the clubs and the state leagues onboard, and he needs to keep them there. However, he can’t be answerable only to them. His duty is to the game and the fans, which means there will be times he gets club powerbrokers offside. It’s a fine line to tread.From our partners