Andrew Dillon confirmed as new AFL CEO, ending Gillon McLachlan's transition period

The Australian Football League (AFL) has confirmed the appointment of Andrew Dillon as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), ending the long transition period of outgoing CEO Gillon McLachlan. Dillon, who has been the AFL's general counsel since 2014, will officially take up the position on June 1, 2023.

The announcement has been met with mixed reactions from the media and the public, with some praising Dillon's experience and track record, while others criticize the AFL's CEO selection process and the lack of diversity in the leadership ranks of the organization.

The AFL's long search for a CEO: a joke or a power play?

The AFL has been searching for a new CEO since Gillon McLachlan announced his intention to step down in 2021. The search process has been long and arduous, with several high-profile candidates declining the position, including former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire and Richmond CEO Brendon Gale.

According to an article in The Australian Financial Review, the AFL's CEO search has become a joke, with many potential candidates put off by the lengthy and convoluted process. The article suggests that the AFL's board has been unable to make a decision due to internal power struggles and a lack of clarity over the CEO's role.

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However, an article in The Age paints a different picture, suggesting that the CEO search is part of a broader power play within the AFL. The article notes that former AFL player and media personality David Schwarz has been pushing for a shakeup of the AFL's leadership, including the removal of current President Richard Goyder. The article suggests that Schwarz has been pushing for the appointment of former Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich as the new CEO, but that this was opposed by other members of the AFL board.

Andrew Dillon: the right person for the job?

Despite the controversy surrounding the CEO selection process, Andrew Dillon's appointment has been welcomed by many in the industry. Dillon has been with the AFL since 2010, initially as its general counsel and then as its executive general manager of football operations. He was appointed as the AFL's chief legal counsel in 2014.

Dillon's tenure with the AFL has been marked by a number of high-profile legal cases, including the Essendon supplements saga and the AFL's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also been instrumental in the development of the AFL's women's league, which has been widely praised for its inclusivity and professionalism.

Critics of Dillon's appointment point to his lack of experience outside the legal profession and his close ties to the current AFL administration. They argue that the AFL needs a fresh perspective and a CEO who can address the organization's structural issues, including its lack of diversity and its over-reliance on broadcast revenue.

The appointment of Andrew Dillon as the new AFL CEO marks the end of a long and controversial search process. While Dillon's appointment has been welcomed by many in the industry, it has also highlighted the need for greater diversity and transparency in the AFL's leadership ranks. With the AFL facing a number of significant challenges in the coming years, including ongoing financial pressures and the need to engage younger audiences, it will be up to Dillon and the rest of the AFL leadership to navigate these challenges and ensure the ongoing success of Australia's most popular sport.

Keywords: AFL, CEO, Andrew Dillon, Gillon McLachlan, diversity, leadership, power play.

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