Foxtel chief executive Patrick Delany has emerged as a possible candidate to replace Gillon McLachlan as AFL CEO.
According to Sportsday co-host Sam McClure, Delany is firming as “one of the favoured options in the AFL executive”.
Delany has served as Foxtel CEO since early 2018 and has worked closely with McLachlan and the AFL in striking broadcast rights deals.
AFL head of finance, clubs and broadcasting Travis Auld, Richmond CEO Brendon Gale and former federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg have also been linked to the AFL’s top job.
Speaking on Sportsday, McClure and Gerard Healy discussed the AFL CEO position.
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McClure: “I still think it’s down to Travis Auld or Brendon Gale.”
Healy: “Not (Andrew) Dillon?”
McClure: “Andrew Dillion we all know has the ability to do the job, it’s just whether he’s passionate about wanting to do it.
“He’s also an amazing number two that could work under either Travis or Brendon, and Kylie Watson-Wheeler would be the distant outsider.
“Patrick Delany is firming as one of the favoured options in the AFL executive.”
AFL Record senior writer Ash Browne added: “Foxtel and Fox Sports are both brilliant businesses and Foxtel is changing.
“They’ve shown an ability to change with Kayo and Binge to suss out what’s happening in the market and to adapt.
“That would make him a strong candidate.
“Media and media income is such a big part of the AFL these days.”
McLachlan will step down as AFL chief executive at end of the 2022 season.