St George Illawarra South sydney rabbitohs decided to part ways with CEO Ryan Webb after his five-year term, opting not to renew his contract, which is set to expire in April next year. The decision was finalized during a board meeting on Tuesday morning, and the club is now looking outside the organization for a new CEO.
Webb, who has focused on the commercial and financial aspects of the club, will remain with the Dragons through the transition period to ensure a smooth handover. During his tenure, the Dragons have not made the NRL finals. The club previously shifted its direction by replacing coach Anthony Griffin with Shane Flanagan, and now seeks a fresh leadership perspective at the executive level. Staff were informed of the decision on Tuesday afternoon.
Dragons chairman Andrew Lancaster acknowledged Webb’s contributions, praising his leadership during a challenging period marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. Lancaster highlighted Webb’s role in implementing reforms and navigating significant changes within the club. “Ryan’s efforts have laid a foundation for future growth, and he has worked diligently with the board, players, staff, and fans to support the club’s ongoing development,” Lancaster said.
The Dragons have reached out to South Sydney’s CEO, Blake Solly, to explore his interest in the role. However, Solly expressed a preference to remain with South Sydney and continue working with Wayne Bennett. Other potential candidates for the Dragons CEO position include Tim Watsford, the COO of Supercars and former NRL events team member; Jaymes Boland-Rudder, former NRL general manager of partnerships; and Brock Schaefer, ex-South Sydney COO and current NRL general manager of strategic football development. Peter Parr, head of football at the Knights, has also been mentioned as a potential candidate.
Additionally, Norm Black, former owner of Dragons sponsor Trip-A-Deal, may be considered for a more significant role within the club. Black recently sold the company to Qantas for $211 million.
The Dragons issued a statement praising Webb’s impact on the organization, noting milestones such as record commercial revenues, expanded community programs, and the upcoming construction of the Dragons’ Community and High-Performance Centre.