Leeds reject Elstone shake-up
LEEDS chief executive Gary Hetherington has launched a scathing attack on rival Super League bosses following the unveiling of Robert Elstone as the competition’s new chief executive.
Elstone was flanked by Wigan, St Helens and Warrington owners Ian Lenagan, Eamonn McManus and Simon Moran at his inaugural press conference at the Halliwell Jones Stadium yesterday. There it was revealed that the Super 8s and Qualifiers will be scrapped at the end of the season, with a return to a one-up, one-down structure from 2019 onwards.
But Hetherington has slammed the changes and said in a statement: “Today’s announcement regarding plans for next season appear to be an absurd grab for power for the game by a small group of men who think they own the game.
“Leeds are not party to this and are totally against the creation of a separate Super League executive.”
The appointment of Elstone comes after clubs formed their own board away from the RFL in order to control their own destiny.
Elstone will lead negotiations on a new TV deal, with the current one due to expire at the end of 2021, and said he was open to the prospect of working with Eddie and Barry Hearn, who have offered to breathe new life into the sport.
Elstone, who recently left his role as Everton chief executive to take up his dream job heading up Super League, explained the scrapping of the current structure. He said: “The current level of jeopardy – potentially four clubs going down – is just too great.”