Former Australian Football League CEO Andrew Demetriou has become the newest board member of James Packer’s Crown Resorts. The 53-year old’s appointment will still need gaming regulatory approval before taking effect but all signs seem to point to that being nothing more than a mere formality.
Once Demetriou receives the thumbs-up, he will join the board of directors that includes notable figures such as former Australia Senator Helen Coonan, former Qantas CEO Geoff Dixon and media mogul Harold Mitchell.
James Packer complemented Demetriou’s capabilities in managing complex organizations with multiple stakeholders like the AFL and his unique understanding of the Australian consumer and media markets.
Demetriou spent the past 11 years as the AFL’s chief executive. He also spent time actually playing in the league from 1981 to 1987, appearing in 106 games for both North Melbourne and Hawthorn.
However, his new Crown gig isn’t the only thing to happen to Demetriou in the past few weeks. In July, Demetriou reportedly had a heated exchange with notorious underworld figure Toby Mitchell, who objected to public comments the then-AFL CEO made in February regarding the former Bandidos biker’s relationship with AFL player Jake King. Demetriou had expressed concerns about organized crime infiltrating the AFL
The tiff reportedly resumed when Mitchell and Demetriou had a chance encounter on a Melbourne street and Mitchell took the opportunity to rebuke Demetriou for his comments. Mitchell reportedly asked Demetriou if he had any comments to make face-to-face. Demetriou declined comment when asked about the incident by the Herald Sun.
