The Daily Telegraph‘s rugby league writers, Michael Carayannis and Brent Read, have named their top 50 most power figures in the NRL and among the list are four Australians of Greek heritage.
The Greek Herald breaks down who they are.
#1: Peter V’landys, ARLC Chairman, Chief Executive of Racing NSW
Peter V’landys assumed the chairmanship of the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) from Peter Beattie in 2019.
He ripped millions out of the bottom line in the NRL’s head office, kept the game afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic and helped the NRL become the first major sporting code to return to play. He also introduced a raft of rule changes.
READ MORE: Nick Politis and Peter V’landys named among Sydney’s top 100 most powerful people.
#8: Nick Politis, Sydney Roosters Chairman
Nick Politis is a migrant from the Greek island of Kythera who has helped save rugby league in Australia and turned a single car dealership into a $2 billion fortune.
Politis is one of the most powerful men in rugby league as the Chairman of the Sydney Roosters. He recently quit his post as a NSW board member.
READ MORE: Nick Politis, George Peponis quit NSWRL board over election dispute.
#20: Nick Pappas, South Sydney Chairman
Nick Papas is held in high regard by the NRL’s executives and fellow clubs alike and has long been touted as a potential chairman of the game.
While he has been in the thick of discussions regarding the game’s big picture, it has not detracted from running one of the game’s most successful clubs in South Sydney.
#31: Lee Hagipantelis, West Tigers Chairman
The Tigers chairman has been involved in the game for a long time via his business Brydens Lawyers.
The law firm are major sponsors of the Tigers and also sponsor a host of other teams including Newcastle, South Sydney and a range of junior clubs.
Source: The Daily Telegraph.
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