Gillon McLachlan's successor as AFL CEO is yet to be determined, but a somewhat definitive shortlist of seven names has been identified so far during the league's recruitment process.

The Ageย reported this week that a US-based consultancy firm Spencer Stuart has rung several key figures in AFL administration, including club presidents and CEOs, asking who McLachlan's replacement should be.

According to the report, off the back of those calls, senior AFL figures Travis Auld and Andrew Dillon still remain the front-runners, but Richmond CEO Brendon Gale is the resounding preferred candidate among club officials spoken to by Spencer Stuart.

Meanwhile, fellow club executive Tom Harley, the current Sydney Swans CEO, has been been identified as a strong candidate with a smooth ascension path to the AFL's top job.

Similarly, Kylie Watson-Wheeler, the current Western Bulldogs president and Disney Australia managing director has been identified as a figure with intricate expertise in leading a streaming service, with the AFL's next broadcast deal - likely to include streaming - in the works.

According to the same report, current Melbourne Cricket boss and former Hawthorn CEO Stuart Fox is being touted as a left-field pick for AFL CEO, having been identified as a figure with knowledge of other key football administration areas, such as stadia management and memberships.

From outside football, Patrick Delaney, the current CEO of Foxtel has also been named as an alternative candidate, given his intimate knowledge of broadcast agreements.

Last month, Spencer Stuart had contacted around one third of club presidents, with that number having risen since then, including a call for former Collingwood president and media personality Eddie McGuire's opinion.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan Press Conference
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 15: AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan speaks to the media during a press conference at AFL House on July 15, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

The recruitment process is expected to cost the AFL around half a million dollars in fees.

The coveted position comes with a high public profile and the next CEO will be walking into a somewhat new-look league with a new collective bargaining agreement for the players, a new broadcast arrangement and a decision on a Tasmanian AFL licence, all expected to be completed by McLachlan prior to his departure.

1 COMMENT

  1. …surely the main requirement would be expertise in running a sporting organisation – ideally in the game (aussie Rules) itself…..

    Why on earth would a person be chosen simply because they know about “TV” or “streaming”?
    That’s simply a task you delegate to a junior.

    It brings up the question – what is the “afl” about?
    Is it the game?
    Is it simply TV?

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