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Andrew Demetriou

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Andrew Demetriou (born 14 April 1961) is the chief executive officer of the Australian Football League and a former Australian rules footballer. He is the youngest son of Cypriot immigrants who made his fortune in the dental import business (an older brother, Jim, played senior football for Essendon in the mid 1970's). Andrew Demetriou is a fat sod. Go cats.[1]

Playing career

Recruited from Pascoe Vale, Demetriou played for the North Melbourne Football Club as a winger, playing 103 games and kicking 47 goals between 1981 and 1987.

He had a brief move to Hawthorn playing for the club in 1988, playing just 3 games and kicking 1 goal due to bad form.

Demetriou was once reported for striking David Rhys-Jones.

Administration career

Between 1998 and 2000, Demitriou was CEO of the AFL Players Association.

Demetriou is best known for his position as CEO of the Australian Football League. He was elected at the end of the 2003 season, taking over from the outgoing CEO Wayne Jackson. In 2005 he was instrumental in securing a record breaking $AUD 780 million TV rights deal. In the same season, the league posted record breaking TV ratings and attendances.

On 2 October 2007 it was reported in The Bulletin that Demetriou was initiating plans to resign in order to spend more time with his family, and in particular to visit his holiday home at Lake Como, Italy.[2] Demetriou issued a statement denying these claims - the statement was acknowledged at the online The Bulletin, but the magazine stood by its initial report.

Push for a Gold Coast based team

Demetriou has been highly influential in the Commission's desire for a team to be based on the Gold Coast.[citation needed].

Controversies

In 2005 Demetriou criticized the Sydney Swans and their coach Paul Roos, labelling the teams play as "unattractive" and "ugly". He also claimed that the Swans would not win a premiership the way they were playing, and then a heavy loss to St Kilda in Round 10 of that season sent the Swans into deep crisis. The Saints themselves found themselves in this position after round 13 of the same season. The Saints loss was the turning point in their season, with the Swans losing only two more home-and-away games for the season and eventually winning the 2005 Premiership.[3]

Life outside of AFL

Demetriou is a qualified teacher, having taught business, law and politics at both Trinity Grammar School and RMIT University.[2] He has twin daughters, born in 2004.[4]

In 2007, Andrew purchased a $7 million mansion in Melbourne's exclusive suburb Toorak. As of 2008, Demetriou earns an annual salary of $1.4 million, making him the highest paid administrator or player currently employed by the AFL. [5]

References

  1. ^ We reveal AFL boss Andrew Demetriou's $7m Toorak base | Herald Sun
  2. ^ a b The Bulletin: Demetriou ready to quit top job
  3. ^ Saints at bursting point - News - www.realfooty.com.au
  4. ^ ABC Perth: Demetriou Talks Greek
  5. ^ AFL boss Andrew Demetriou scores $1.4 million | Herald Sun
Preceded by Australian Football League CEO
2003- 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
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