'Never been happier': Todd Greenberg's telling backhander for NRL

Todd Greenberg has looked back fondly on his rollercoaster journey in the NRL after stunning the rugby league community by announcing his sudden resignation as CEO on Monday.

As the NRL’s chief executive, Greenberg had the unenviable task of being the leader and spokesperson for one of the most heavily scrutinised organisations in Australian sport.

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Greenberg had to deal with countless controversies during his four-year tenure but the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately proved his toughest challenge.

It also expedited the 49-year-old’s departure as CEO after weeks of speculation that he was set to be shown the door.

Breaking his silence on Wednesday - in his first interviews since leaving the post - Greenberg says he “enjoyed every bit” of his turbulent journey in rugby league.

However, his comment to Seven News while walking with his wife near their Oatley home in southern Sydney, suggests that an enormous weight has been lifted off his shoulders.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been happier,” Greenberg told Channel Seven.

“No, I’m not at all (upset), it’s been a great journey as I’ve said, I’ve had a lovely time working at the NRL ... loved every single minute of it.”

Greenberg lists the success of the women's league plus tighter concussion rules among his proudest contributions to the game.

He also singled out the 2017 grand final performance of Macklemore as a highlight of his tenure.

"Things like the advent of the women's game and the growth we've had in NRLW, I hope to see that prosper in the years to come," he told reporters.

"Sitting at the 2017 grand final and watching Macklemore perform, seeing the inclusiveness of the sport portrayed was fantastic.

"In more recent times, the work the game's done on concussion and protocols around players has been world-class. There's a lot of things I've been proud of.

"It's been a wild ride and I've enjoyed every bit of it."

Greenberg’s sudden departure stunned rugby league world

League followers were stunned this week when Greenberg and the governing body mutually agreed on his immediate departure from the game.

Speculation had been mounting in recent months that Greenberg was quickly losing support as the league's chief executive.

The coronavirus outbreak resulted in a stay of execution, and there were suggestions the former Canterbury CEO could earn an extension.

But an explosive attack from broadcast partner Channel Nine last week led to Greenberg calling it quits six months before his contract expired.

Greenberg, who was reportedly frozen out of recent broadcast meetings, insisted he wouldn't have done anything differently over his four years in charge.

"You can't look through the prism of hindsight. You do what you think is best at the time. Everyone's human. You're going to make mistakes occasionally," he said.

"But one thing I think people know about me is I was always upfront."

He said he was always prepared to front the media in good and bad times.

The league last year controversially introduced its no-fault stand-down policy for players charged with serious criminal offences following its summer from hell.

"There was a lot of difficult moments through my tenure. A lot of hard decisions. That's not to say we got them all right," Greenberg said.

"But we were always upfront about it and I always did it with the game's best interests at heart. And that always comes with criticism but that's okay.

"I'm a realist."

NRL puts competition resumption ahead of CEO appointment

The NRL will prioritise getting the game back on the field ahead of searching for a new chief executive as it places its faith in interim boss Andrew Abdo.

ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys has taken a firm hand in broadcast meetings, which remain ongoing with both the Nine Network and Foxtel this week.

The game is still on track for a May 28 return, but it means any serious search for a new CEO may not begin until after that date.

"We're in no rush," V'landys told AAP.

"We've got confidence in Andrew Abdo to do the job. We want to get through this crisis.

"There is no rush for it, let's put it that way."

Any search is likely to take considerable time regardless.

It took five months for Todd Greenberg to take the job from David Smith in 2016, despite being the leading contender the whole time the extensive mission took place.

The commission's willingness to wait is also aided by Abdo's increased involvement in recent weeks.

He travelled with V'landys to the US for meetings with Lachlan Murdoch and streaming companies in February.

He has also been a part of some broadcaster meetings, and holds a seat on the NRL's Project Apollo committee which is planning the game's restart.

"He is au fait with every aspect of the business," V'landys said.

"And he has a good team in there to assist him. The team is still there. It's just got a new leader in Andrew.

"And the commission and myself have the utmost confidence in him."

Abdo emailed all staff within hours of being handed the interim role on Monday, and is expected to address all staff for the first time later this week.

with AAP