DAYS after CEO Nigel Wood’s departure, the Rugby Football League has lost chief commercial officer and Super League executive director Roger Draper.
Although the former Warrington boss – who joined head office in 2016 – claimed he had always intended to leave after “a couple of years”, fears of a power vacuum and major upheaval in the British game appear justified.
In a statement posted on the RFL website, 47-year-old Draper was quoted as saying: “As a huge fan of the sport it is with a heavy heart that I have decided that now is the right time for me to leave the Rugby Football League.
“It was always my intention to come into the organisation for just a couple of years and give everything to bring more commercial revenue into this great sport. With a number of significant commercial announcements due in the coming weeks and the new season about to begin, I believe that now is the right time for me to move on.
“Leaving before the start of the season will allow my successor the necessary time to continue the important work of bringing in vital commercial revenue to the sport and to also prepare the organisation for the next broadcast deal, with the current deal ending in 2021. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Rugby Football League and would like to wish the organisation all the very best for the future.”
Ralph Rimmer, the acting RFL chief executive, said he would be restructuring the senior management team at Red Hall.
He said Mark Foster (commercial/marketing ), Karen Moorhouse (regulatory) and Tony Sutton (central services) would comprise this team for the time being with someone overseeing ‘on-field’ to be added.
On Monday, Batley owner Kevin Nicholas claimed Super League clubs were making a power play for more control of TV money after ousting Wood from their board in November.
Discussing Draper’s departure, Rimmer said: ““I would like to thank Roger for his hard work and contributions in his time here at the Rugby Football League. He has made some significant changes and will leave the sport in a strong commercial position going forward. Roger has acted with passion and professionalism and we wish him all the best in the future.”
