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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 Greek-Cypriot immigrants and, before becoming a VFL player, he worked in the dental import industry.[1] He has an older brother Jim Demetriou who played senior football for Essendon in the mid 1970s.
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 three games and kicking one goal.
Demetriou was reported for striking David Rhys-Jones in 1984 and suspended for two matches.[2]
Administration career
Between 1998 and 2000, Demetriou was CEO of the AFL Players Association.
Demetriou is best known for his position as CEO of the Australian Football League. He was elected by the board of directors 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 A$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.[3] Demetriou issued a statement denying these claims – the statement was acknowledged at the online The Bulletin, but the magazine stood by its initial report.
In 2009, Demetriou earned $1.8 million for his role at the AFL.[4]
In 2011, Demetriou was involved in securing a record breaking A$1.25 billion TV rights deal for the period of 2012-2016. The deal included unprecedented live TV coverage of the AFL competition in all states of Australia through free-to-air, subscription and IP television.[5]
Push for a Gold Coast-based team
See also: Proposed relocation of the North Melbourne Football Club
Demetriou has been highly influential in the AFL Commission's desire for a team to be based on the Gold Coast. North Melbourne Football Club had played three home games there in 2007 and, at the conclusion of that season, Demetriou offered the club $100 million to relocate there permanently. North Melbourne rejected that offer and, in January 2008, the AFL chairman, Mike Fitzpatrick, announced that the Gold Coast Football Club would enter the AFL in 2011.
Controversies
Sydney Swans
In 2005 Demetriou criticised the Sydney Swans and their coach Paul Roos, labelling the team's 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 found themselves in this position after round 13 of the same season. The Saints loss was the turning point in the Swans' season, with the Swans losing only two more home-and-away games for the season and eventually winning the 2005 Premiership.[6]
Australian FIFA World Cup Bid
Demetriou embroiled himself in controversy in December 2009 in regards to statements he made about the Australian 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup bid.[7]
Other businesses
Demetriou has interests in factories in Brazil and India which manufacture dental products and exports them to 70 markets, including Australia.[8]
Life outside of AFL
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.[9]
Personal life
Demetriou is married to Symone and they have three daughters; twins Francesca and Alexandra (born 2003) and Mattea (born 2006). They were expecting their fourth child in November 2009.
In 2007, Demetriou purchased a mansion in the exclusive suburb of Toorak for A$7 million.[10]
References
^ Warner, Michael (22 November 2007). "We reveal AFL boss Andrew Demetriou's $7m Toorak base". Herald Sun. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
^ http://stats.afl.com.au/ AFL Tribunal List
^ The Bulletin: Demetriou ready to quit top job
^ Demetriou earned his $1.8 million, says AFL chairman, The Roar, Retrieved on 18 March 2010.
^ AFL secures TV rights deal for next five years worth $1.253 billion, Herald Sun, 28 April 2011
^ "Saints at bursting point – News – www.realfooty.com.au". Melbourne.[dead link]
^ Aussie Analysis: Andrew Demetriou Is Australian Football's Most Hated Man – But FIFA Won't Care
^ Bolt, Andrew (14 August 2009). "Fans should see red over the hypocrisy of footy going green". Herald Sun.
^ Barrett, Damian (1 March 2008). "AFL boss Andrew Demetriou scores .4 million". Herald Sun.
^ Warner, Michael (22 November 2007). "We reveal AFL boss Andrew Demetriou's $7m Toorak base". Herald Sun.
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