Former AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has landed the top job with Tabcorp nine months on from his departure from the league.
McLachlan, who announced he would step down from the AFL CEO role in April 2022, officially handed the reins over to successor Andrew Dillon last October - ending a near-decade-long stint at league headquarters.
The 51-year-old is set to remain in Melbourne with wagering giant Tabcorp, who announced McLachlan's appointment on Monday.
"Tabcorp is a wagering, broadcast and integrity services business and the challenges of growing it are appealing, it's about creating entertainment for our customers in a safe way and providing a unique customer omni-channel entertainment offering across digital, retail and the media business," McLachlan said, via The Age.
McLachlan's role with Tabcorp is scheduled to commence in early August following regulatory approvals.
He replaces Adam Rytenskild, who resigned from the role in March, and is set to act under executive chair Bruce Akhurst in an observing role prior to his official appointment.
During his time at the helm of the AFL, McLachlan launched the AFLW, steered the competition through the COVID-19 pandemic, aided the expansion of the league's 19th licence in Tasmania and helped settle the largest sports broadcasting agreement in the country's history.
McLachlan started with the AFL in 2000 in a consultancy role before being promoted to general manager of commercial operations and then chief operating officer before being selected as Andrew Demetriou's successor as CEO.
“Gill needs no introduction - he is recognised as one of Australia's leading chief executives and securing Gill is a great vote of confidence for Tabcorp's future," Akhurst said.
McLachlan was seen to be in the running for the chairman role at Racing Victoria before recently pulling out of the race.
