Demetriou is the youngest son of Greek Cypriot immigrants. About colours. He always puts the family first. That would leave a massive hole at the competitions governing body and the game at the crossroads. "I think - and I'm sure Andrew knows this - that GWS is the biggest challenge by far that the AFL has ever bitten off. At this point in time, no one knows if Andrew Demetriou can make the AFL expansion work. Ex-AFL boss Andrew Demetriou makes humiliating exit from Crown board along with the CEO as James Packer's embattled gaming empire makes desperate bid to reverse ban on opening its new Sydney. "It's an amazing game," he says, smiling. "He was amazing during her illness," says Unglik. Correction: CLARIFICATION A profile of AFL boss Andrew Demetriou published yesterday in The Age (Melbourne) Magazine referred to the 1998 AFL players' deal as the first collective agreement struck on their behalf. JANE BALLANTYNE Join 1.7 Million Subscribers His parents, whose fathers were both dead, had left Cyprus in 1951 and didn't return until 1983, until after their sons had completed their university studies. If you're going to have relationships, they've got to be meaningful. She and Andrew married soon afterwards (friends recall him saying he wished he'd done it earlier), and Bassett fought the illness for three years. McLachlan also played the pivotal role in negotiations which saw the redevelopment of Adelaide Oval as an AFL venue - an achievement which will see the season launched there on Wednesday and which Demetriou described as his greatest professional effort given the degree of difficulty involving the South Australian football body, the cricket association and the state government. And, he adds, "You've got to be fair. I've said it 3000 times. [9], In the first half of 2005, Demetriou criticised the Sydney Swans and then-coach Paul Roos, labelling the team's play as "unattractive" and "ugly". He was awarded the University's Distinguished Alumni Award in 2009 and a Doctor of Letters (honoris causa) in 2015 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to sport management and to Australian society through his leadership and support of important social issues, and currently serves as an Adjunct Professor. Either way, Purebaby seems the perfect antidote to Demetriou's pressure-cooker life running the national league, perhaps the most heavily scrutinised public role in this town and state alongside that of Premier. "Except, perhaps, the meta-narcissism of some of the best political leaders. People think he's a bit of a dealmaker, but he's massively respected in terms of making money for the game.". He has treated us fairly and with respect and I admire that. "We've had some differences and clashes over years. "He's comfortable in any environment," says author and commentator Don Watson, who's known him since 1995. We're changing people's lives. Beyond this foundation, the brothers' childhoods combined both genuine acceptance and deep-rooted racism. Crown Resorts director Andrew Demetriou has resigned from the board of the embattled gaming giant but has vowed to defend his reputation. The idea of expansion is also in the DNA of the AFL. "It was a case of 'winners are grinners'," she says without a hint of guilt. ". They never saw their mothers after they left. But Toorak, Melbourne's most prestigious suburb, can seem a long way from Coburg. But on the advice of medical experts he incorporated a three-strikes policy that puts player welfare ahead of the urge to "name and shame" offenders, and subsequently got belted by political leaders who reckoned it was lax.He doesn't care. Were working to restore it. But it's not all beer and skittles. Then there's Purebaby, to add a bit of fun. Aghast, she never went back. She died in 2004. He's a dignified man, and holds himself well: back straight, arms relaxed, briefcase swinging. "The business is a good business. "With a chuckle, he continues: "I have to say, that board meeting takes longer than the meetings of other boards that I've been on they're talking about different designs, the manufacturers in India, what colours we should do. "I've said from day one I regard it as a privilege to be in the role; I love the job, but I'm sensible enough to know one day it will come to an end.". . Of course, despite all the tearing of hair and gnashing of teeth, the NRL and the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) have been stealing each other's players for years. Country: Australia. "And some day he'll move on. And Andrew's allowed me to express them. Likewise, his partner, Emma, wore a white strapless mermaid wedding gown. Jennifer Hageney is the first wife of Andrew Shue, an American actor with whom she has three children named Nathaniel Shue, Aiden Shue and Wyatt Shue. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. We've carefully put building blocks along the way to target a time, and the time is right now because if it's not now when (the league) is in a strong position, then when? "I took a decision very early on that I wanted to see them grow and help my wife," he says. But there's something about his knees, as if he were once pigeon-toed, or injured in some way, that makes him kick out his feet as he walks. Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. For the South Melbourne and Port Melbourne player, see, Proposed relocation of the North Melbourne Football Club, "Pssst: Introducing Doctor Andrew Demetriou", "We reveal AFL boss Andrew Demetriou's $7m Toorak base", "AFL boss Andrew Demetriou scores .4 million", Demetriou earned his $1.8 million, says AFL chairman, AFL secures TV rights deal for next five years worth $1.253 billion, "Ugly ducklings to make up for the sin of St Kilda", Love is in the air as Andy and Dickie revive flagging relationship, AFL chief Andrew Demetriou likes Sydney Swans' flag chances | Herald Sun, Tackle happy - Official AFL Website of the Sydney Swans Football Club, "What you need to know about the AFL's new boss, Gillon McLachlan | News.com.au", "Fans should see red over the hypocrisy of footy going green", "Acquire Learning: Andrew Demetriou's new education venture facing ASQA scrutiny amid allegations of unethical behaviour", "Andrew Demetriou to lead Acquire Learning | afr.com", "Acquire Learning goes into voluntary administration", AFL boss Andrew Demetriou revisits playing days, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Andrew_Demetriou&oldid=1120957313, Australian rules footballers from Melbourne, Australian people of Greek Cypriot descent, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2015, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 9 November 2022, at 19:01. Andrew Demetriou's net worth I'm very optimistic about what's going to happen in greater western Sydney, very optimistic. "Sometimes in the exercise of that power, feathers get ruffled. He is presiding over an enterprise whose growth in recent years has been little short of exponential, with rising memberships, ballooning revenues and top ratings underscoring the might of the indigenous code in an era of unprecedented competition, in particular from the round ball behemoth that is The World Game. The AFL's headquarters are at afl House in Melbourne's Etihad Stadium. "There is tremendous power vested in Andrew's position," says Brendon Gale, former head of the AFL Players Association (AFLPA) and CEO of Richmond Football Club. "I think anyone who has strong views about things and seeks by dint of their own strength of personality to force things through, always runs the risk of alienating people," observes Sydney Swans president Richard Collis. Acquire Learning entered voluntary administration in May 2017, shortly after Demetriou left the company. WHEN you are the chief executive of the AFL you carry a big stick and you walk the corridors of power. . "Every dollar that goes to the GWS, that's a dollar less to the existing clubs or players.". View the profiles of professionals named "Andrew Demetriou" on LinkedIn. ", "Even though the commission has always had expansionist aspirations, there's clearly a lot of Andrew in it as well," adds Richmond's Brendon Gale. He's convinced them that a truly national competition will benefit everyone in the long term, by bringing in more fans, giving sponsors a bigger platform, and making media rights more desirable and profitable. "We are living in an age of scrutiny that we've never experienced before and it's not just football. It was all give, it was incredible giving. According to court documents obtained by Us Weekly, Mackenzie filed for divorce on Monday . It's not worth it." In seven years in the job, he has transformed how, where and by whom Aussie rules is played. Even his generally unemotional chairman Mike Fitzpatrick wiped away something resembling a tear at that point. Demetriou appears to have a knack of finding common ground. ". It represents to him what is best about Australia: egalitarianism, acceptance, encouragement of talent. "If I were to believe you guys," he told the audience of journalists, "I'm a hot-tempered, loud, heavy-gambling Cypriot, prone to fly off the handle without warning. "His favourite holiday destination was St Moritz, and 'classical' was his favourite music," Buckley laughs. "What we've got is five years of data (that) shows we're doing nearly triple the number of tests, and the percentage (of those caught) is dropping. The AFL chief executive, whose successor could be named as early as May, has declared a wish to serve out the 2014 football season, demanded and received great loyalty from his staff who became emboldened themselves by a leader they regarded as fearless. He was educated at La Trobe University, where he completed a Bachelor of Arts in 1983 and a Diploma of Education in 1984. The comic wore a white tuxedo with a matching black tie. "Demetriou's values were sewn into his very fabric by his humble upbringing, by the work ethic and sacrifice of parents hell-bent on building a life for their children in a new land. Put it this way, says footy's head honcho of his current circumstances, "I've learnt more about baby wear than I thought I ever would. In the spirit of reconciliation the AFL acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. And Britney," Demetriou changes tack. "The Sydney Swans went there in 1981. "I'm a big fan, and a great supporter," says Jill Lindsay, who started at league headquarters 40 years ago. His parents followed his playing career faithfully, his father rarely missing a game. [17], Demetriou has interests in factories in Brazil and India which manufacture dental products and exports them to 70 markets, including Australia. Andrew Demetriou and family pose with La Trobe deputy chancellor Dr Philip Moors AO (left) and vice-chancellor Professor John Dewar (right). Historically, in fact, it's tried to go even further. "Can you imagine?". It was.Post football, Demetriou set out teaching at first, legal studies and politics, then got into business running Ruthinium, a company that imported dental products. The western Sydney move is a brave one; we're all looking at that with great interest.". The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. "It wasn't whim. He's revolutionised the code's response to illicit drug use; initiated a policy to improve the treatment of women; allowed free movement of uncontracted, end-of-term players between clubs; and supported some of the strongest anti-discrimination policies in international sport. "James Brayshaw, the North Melbourne chairman and media personality who crossed swords with Demetriou when the AFL was pushing hard for North to relocate to the Gold Coast, says the AFL boss can bury the hatchet if he has to. "Not many people get away with calling Andrew, Andy. "I remember Andrew speaking at an AFL conference a couple of years ago," recalls Swans CEO Andrew Ireland. "But the world needs teeth."). Ryan Edwards and his wife, Mackenzie, have officially called it quits amid their ongoing legal issues. Demetriou, who takes his girls to his local Auskick at weekends, where he's likely to run into Eddie McGuire and a host of footy influentials, says he's not fussed. His self-assessment went like this: "I am impatient when I see injustice, I am not happy with mediocrity, I have no place for lack of integrity, lack of honesty, lack of respect for others. Right now, Demetriou doesn't look to be going anywhere, though he insists he'll know when it's time to move on long before others know it of him. They'll have a women's round, an indigenous round, a tie-a-ribbon-around-everything round. I've said to my staff and to myself that everyone's got to modify their lifestyle. "Towards the end of the day at this function, he pointed out a woman and said, 'She's nice, isn't she?' The pairing - cheeky young footy player, independent older woman - seemed unlikely, but their friends remember them as a wonderful couple. In 2008, Demetriou earned an annual salary of $1.4 million, making him the highest paid administrator or player then employed by the AFL. What followed next was his second marriage in 2002 with Symone, who is currently his wife. The family was close, and Demetriou grew up conscious of his parents' love, sacrifice and work ethic. [11] This proved to be the turning point in the Swans' season, as they lost only two further home-and-away games for the season, both by single-figure margins,[12] and eventually won the premiership. Footy was a great way to pick up $20,000 or $30,000: that's how I bought my first home. "Was it four years?" And it was as AFLPA CEO in 1998 that he secured a historic collective-bargaining agreement that delivered a significant pay rise to the competition's 600-odd players. Organise, control, distribute, and measure all of your digital content. "I think the task is absolutely massive," says Ireland. Demetriou remains a shareholder and board member. "And finally, I want the right amount of time to consider my responsibilities to my workplace and my family and to make sure the balance works for both. Having been directed by the commission to groom a successor, Demetriou has achieved that in his deputy Gillon McLachlan, who impressed the AFL board when he took over the reins during Demetrious long service leave of 2012. he says. [19][20] Acquire Learning entered voluntary administration in May 2017, shortly after Demetriou left the company. 'I'm just ringing to say your brother has died.' He has wide interests outside the AFL. "From day one, and we're genuine about it, we have had a very healthy respect for the NRL," he says. Wife Symone and their four children, whom he described as his greatest achievement and who all attended his farewell press conference, he said were his sunshine. "Adrian Anderson, the defamation lawyer whose left-field appointment by Demetriou as football operations manager mimicked Demetriou's own path, witnessed the stand-off close up. And we adopted an attitude of making the most of every day and every hour. When the AFL season begins on Thursday, it will include a new team, the Gold Coast Suns, and in 2012, the Suns will be joined by the Greater Western Sydney Giants (GWS); then, for the first time in its 115-year history, the VFL/AFL will have 18 teams in its top competition. [7], Demetriou has been highly influential in the AFL Commission's desire for a team to be based on the Gold Coast. For Demetriou, Australian rules will always be the game that embraced him and gave him social and professional status; that supported him during a great tragedy in his life. The expansion has been planned and supported by Demetriou's AFL at its streamlined, spin-savvy best, with a massive fighting fund, an aggressive recruiting policy and a much-denied-but-hard-to-escape determination to become the dominant football code in Australia. "He spoke about where the game had been 100 years ago. His parents, Tony and Chrysi, met in the early 1950s, married and opened Tony's Fish and Chip . I don't think there's anything wrong with giving people options.". But are they role models? His best season was 1983, playing 23 of a possible 24 games, the club's campaign ending with a thumping in the preliminary final. Demetriou is best known for his position as CEO of the Australian Football League. Andrew Demetriou speaks to the media during the official opening of the Learning Life Centre at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre on February 18,. 1998 Between 1998 and 2000, Demetriou was CEO of the AFL Players Association. Eventually, the Australian arm bought out its Italian parent. His parents, Tony and Chrysi, met in the early 1950s, married and opened Tony's Fish and Chip shop in Melbourne's Pascoe Vale South. And probably dish them out. "Informality quickly makes way for more formal discussion on those evenings when the four business partners order in. According to our Database, He has no children. He says the national game has a record of kicking into a stiff breeze and still scoring goals, and timing is everything: key sponsors have been bedded down until 2011, the players agreement is locked in similarly and the broadcasting rights will be re-negotiated when the country is likely pulling out of its slowdown. Chairing several companies after his retirement from playing, he was appointed CEO of the AFL Players Association in 1998, and was responsible for negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players. Given her mother followed North Melbourne, she thinks she must have seen him in passing, if only on Saturday evening's TV replay, but she couldn't be sure. "Later, Symone qualifies her husband's involvement. Andrew Demetriou (born 14 April 1961) is an Australian businessman, sports administrator, and former Australian rules football player who was chief executive officer (CEO) of the Australian Football League (AFL) up to June 2014. He is not dating anyone. He later would be involved in another business, the Baxter Group, which he took from a market capitalisation of $40 million in 2003 to a sale in 2006 for $260 million. We spent a hell of a lot of time travelling in the last two or three years, we did some really wonderful things together, and in some ways, she changed quite a bit as a person in that time, too. When I bring up this dedication, Demetriou smiles - a big smile, perhaps the first of the interview. ", "But it's completely unacceptable today. "), Andrew Demetriou, 49, sits in his modest, shiny office, meditating upon world domination. [citation needed] During the 2013 Finals Series he also co-hosted Talking Footy for the Seven Network. His 103 North games resulted in 54 wins. This is what we do. Andrew is currently non Executive Director of Crown Resorts, Chairman of Capital Health Group and Cox Architects and sits on the Australian Reconciliation Council. Giving up cricket, Demetriou joined North Melbourne football club, and played 103 games as an "unobtrusive wingman" between 1981 and 1987, as well as three games for Hawthorn in 1988. Does he ever have time on his own? "History will tell.". Demetriou, of course, knows this very well. But no, it didn't.". The deal included unprecedented live TV coverage of the AFL competition in all states of Australia through free-to-air, subscription and IP television. Sydney won the 2012 premiership implementing a style of relentless tackling and attacking play. " Red Symons recalls. "I got a kick, which helps," he laughs. As head of the AFL Players' Association, the footballers' union, Demetriou had played hard ball on the way to achieving his coup de grace - the first collective agreement (involving him) for the competition's 600-plus professional players, which gave them a massive pay rise, justly recognising them as the real stars of the show. I think he must have taken it in the best spirit because he still recounts that story. After the children are in bed, he and his wife watch "crappy TV" (hence his awareness of Kim Kardashian's rich inner life), and read the gossip mags. "In many ways, they didn't expect anything from us. They've just gone to Blacktown because they think they can get some money from the government.". I remember my mother getting the same call. "I thought, 'Bloody hell, what have I walked into here? But money isn't the whole story. He took his first job back in football in 1997, partly so he could be at home with Bassett during her illness. This is in itself quite charming. [citation needed], He had a brief move to Hawthorn in 1988, but played only three games and kicked one goal. 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