Report suggests Todd Greenberg to be appointed to board of NSW's new venues agency

Seven months after leaving his role as Chief Executive of the NRL, Todd Greenberg has been reported as being set to join the board of the expanded new Venues NSW agency.

A Sydney Morning Herald report on Friday speculated that Greenberg will join the enlarged agency’s board with his presence giving it “representation from a younger generation and from an administrator who has until recently run a sport.”

Legislation passed through the NSW Parliament last month has expanded Venues NSW by merging it with the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust, creating managing entity for sport and entertainment venues in the state, overseeing the state’s major sports venues including the SCG, the rebuilt Allianz Stadium, ANZ Stadium and Bankwest Stadium.

Created with the aim of attracting events and driving economic activity across NSW it is understood that the agency’s board is in the final stages of being formed, with an announcement due on members in early December.

While taking on the Venues NSW name, it will be chaired by Form SCG Trust Chair Tony Shepherd.

Shepherd has led an interim body established in June, which also includes Sydney Olympics bid executive Rod McGeoch, ex-Australian Rugby League Chief Executive John Quayle and Suncorp Chair Christine McLoughlin. While they and other long-serving directors of Venues NSW and the SCG Trust, including recently retired broadcaster Alan Jones, are likely to have seats on the 11 to 13-member board of the new stadiums agency, the SMH has suggested that Greenberg is also expected to be among those named.

The SMH report advises “the appointments to the board still have to be signed off by state cabinet but Greenberg’s addition would give him a voice when it comes to the stadia strategy of the code he led as chief executive from 2016 until April.”

Speaking last month after the legislation for the enlarged agency passed through the NSW Parliament, acting NSW Minister for Sport Geoff Lee stated “now we have one organisation which can take control of hosting the most exciting and in-demand events which will bring major economic windfalls for NSW.

“We have invested in world-class venues and facilities which are the envy of the world and Venues NSW will ensure we get maximum returns.”

Shepherd, who also Chairs the GWS Giants, added “Venues NSW now has an asset base which is the envy of other states around the country, giving NSW tremendous firepower to attract the biggest and the best sporting and entertainment events.

“We can also capitalise on the experience and history of the SCG Trust which forms an intricate part of this clever and dynamic merger.”

All Venues NSW and SCG Trust contracts, agreements and membership entitlements with sporting codes, clubs, partners and members will continue to be honoured and preserved by the merged entity.

Images: World Cup cricket at the SCG (top) and Todd Greenberg at the NRL (below).