The AFL has named Andrew Dillon as its new CEO.
Following a 12-month search for Gillon McLachlan’s replacement, the AFL informed club executives of the choice during a conference call at around 8:30am on Monday.
Dillon, who had previously served as McLachlan’s deputy, was widely seen as the front-runner and defeated Brendon Gale, the CEO of Richmond, Kylie Watson-Wheeler, the president of the Western Bulldogs, and other AFL executives Travis Auld and Kylie Rogers.
On October 2, the 52-year-old will formally take over as CEO, allowing McLachlan to step down at the conclusion of the 2023 AFL season while leading the organization through a number of ongoing projects.
Taking over as director of the “greatest game in the world” from McLachlan, Dillon said he was “honored and truly humbled.”
According to him, “football has been a defining part of my life, and it is a privilege to be able to lead the industry in ensuring that our game remains relevant, accessible, and welcoming to all Australians,” he said in a statement.
“I look forward to working with our AFL team, our clubs, our players, and the larger industry to ensure that our game expands its reach. It is important that we continue to strengthen every part of our game, from the 18 AFL clubs, who now all have both AFL and AFLW programs, right through to the grassroots.
Every interaction with football should be enjoyable and memorable, whether it’s watching a game, enrolling a youngster in Auskick for the first time, watching a player get selected, or making their Saturday afternoon debut as a community umpire. I am motivated to make sure we continue to make these experiences special because our game resonates with so many people.
Four years after starting as a legal counsel at AFL House in 2000, the new boss was given the opportunity to advance to general manager of legal and business affairs.
Later, in late 2011, Dillon was appointed general manager of national and international development and general counsel. Two years later, he was also named head of legal, integrity, and compliance.
Dillon expanded his responsibilities in 2017 to include game creation, and in 2021 he added executive general manager of football operations to his general counsel position.
Richard Goyder, the chairman of the AFL, expressed his appreciation for Dillon’s appointment and expressed interest in watching him advance the sport.
“Andrew has been a key leader and voice in every decision we have made as an organization for many years,” Goyder said. “Andrew brings not only experience across both elite and community football, but also a key involvement in our major broadcast and partnership deals as well as in developing and shaping the AFL’s response to a number of key social issues.”
“Andrew is a well-known and highly regarded leader who enjoys strong industry backing for his cool, deliberate, and cooperative attitude. Sincere love and care for the game are necessary for this position, and Andrew has shown throughout the course of his 23 years with the AFL that he has a tremendous amount of both.
“He knows football, he knows the football community, he knows our supporters, volunteers, and participants, and he has a clear vision of taking our game to more and more people.”
While the AFL looked for a new leader, McLachlan continued in the position despite announcing his resignation from the position in April of last year.
Mr. Goyder had persuaded him to continue in his position as CEO so that he could assist the company in navigating a number of challenges, such as the $4.5 billion broadcast agreement with Seven and Foxtel.
After nine years in charge of Australia’s largest sporting body, McLachlan oversaw the expansion of the AFL to 18 teams, the introduction of an AFLW competition, and the management of COVID-19 lockdowns.
Dillon obtained his bachelor’s degree in law and business from the University of Melbourne, as well as his postgraduate diploma in applied finance and investment from the Securities Institute of Australia.
For Old Xavierians, he participated in all six premierships between 1995 and 2000 while playing football in 290 games.
