Wayne Jackson
Encyclopedia
Wayne Jackson is best known for his tenure as the CEO of the Australian Football League
1996 to 2003.
in the South Australian National Football League
from 1965 to 1971 .
From 1975 when he took up the role of Chairman of West Torrens, Jackson embarked on a long and distinguished period of football administration. He was President of West Torrens in 1979; a SANFL League Director for West Torrens (1975–1979); member of the SANFL Player Retention Committee (1988–1992); and Member of the SANFL Football Commission (1991–1994).
In his time as CEO of the AFL during the 1990s Jackson continued the expansion of the game into a national competition, initially started by Allen Aylett
during the 1970s. He was a strong champion of the sixteen-team competition and during his tenure the AFL supported then struggling clubs including the Western Bulldogs
and Kangaroos
with several million dollars being made available from various redistributions of AFL monies which became known as the "Competitive Balance Fund".
He presided over the $500 million television rights deal in 2001 that saw coverage move from the Seven Network
to the partnership of Nine Network
, Network Ten
and Foxtel
(Fox Footy Channel
). It was also during this period that the AFL sold off the former VFL/AFL headquarters of Waverley Park
.
Jackson announced on 15 April 2003 that he would be leaving the role at the end of the season, handing the reins to Andrew Demetriou
.
and a Management Development Program at the Harvard Business School
. He has worked in several positions including Managing Director of Thomas Hardy & Sons Pty Limited, General Manager and Director of BRL Hardy Limited and Managing Director of The South Australian Brewing Company Pty Limited.
Wayne also attended Prince Alfred College
.
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
1996 to 2003.
SANFL
Jackson played 71 games for West Torrens Football ClubWest Torrens Football Club
West Torrens Football Club was an Australian rules football club that competed in the South Australian National Football League from 1897 to 1990...
in the South Australian National Football League
South Australian National Football League
The South Australian National Football League is an Australian rules football league based in the Australian state of South Australia. It is also the governing body for the sport of Australian rules football in South Australia....
from 1965 to 1971 .
From 1975 when he took up the role of Chairman of West Torrens, Jackson embarked on a long and distinguished period of football administration. He was President of West Torrens in 1979; a SANFL League Director for West Torrens (1975–1979); member of the SANFL Player Retention Committee (1988–1992); and Member of the SANFL Football Commission (1991–1994).
AFL
Jackson became a Member of the AFL Commission in 1995, then took over the role of CEO in 1996.In his time as CEO of the AFL during the 1990s Jackson continued the expansion of the game into a national competition, initially started by Allen Aylett
Allen Aylett
Dr. Allen Aylett is a former Australian rules football player and administrator. He was the chairman/president of the North Melbourne Football Club during the 1970s and then again from 2001–2005...
during the 1970s. He was a strong champion of the sixteen-team competition and during his tenure the AFL supported then struggling clubs including the Western Bulldogs
Western Bulldogs
The Western Bulldogs are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based at the Whitten Oval in West Footscray, an inner-western suburb of Melbourne...
and Kangaroos
Kangaroos Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
with several million dollars being made available from various redistributions of AFL monies which became known as the "Competitive Balance Fund".
He presided over the $500 million television rights deal in 2001 that saw coverage move from the Seven Network
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
to the partnership of Nine Network
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
, Network Ten
Network Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
and Foxtel
Foxtel
Foxtel is an Australian pay television company, operating cable, direct broadcast satellite television and IPTV services. It was formed in 1995 through a joint venture established between Telstra and News Corporation....
(Fox Footy Channel
Fox Footy Channel
The Fox Footy Channel was a channel exclusively dedicated to Australian rules football. It was owned by Foxtel, and operated out of their Melbourne based studios. It was available on Foxtel, Austar, Optus Television, TransTV and Neighbourhood Cable up until transmission was ceased on 1 October 2006...
). It was also during this period that the AFL sold off the former VFL/AFL headquarters of Waverley Park
Waverley Park
Waverley Park was an Australian rules football stadium in Mulgrave, Victoria, Australia. For most of its history, its purpose was as a neutral venue and used by all Victorian based Victorian Football League/Australian Football League clubs. However, during the 1990s it became the home ground of...
.
Jackson announced on 15 April 2003 that he would be leaving the role at the end of the season, handing the reins to Andrew Demetriou
Andrew Demetriou
Andrew Demetriou 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...
.
Football achievements summary
- Chairman of West Torrens 1975 – 1978
- President of West Torrens 1979
- SANFL League Director for West Torrens 1975 – 1979
- Member of SANFL Retention Committee 1988 – 1992
- Member of South Australian Football Commission 1991 – 1994
- Member of the Australian Football League Commission 1995
- Australian Football League CEO 1996 – 2003
- Member of AFL NTFL Board 2004 – ongoing
- Amateur Football for University 1962 – 1964
- 71 games for West Torrens 1965 – 1971
- Coached West Torrens (both League and Reserves) 1974
- Twice All Australian University Amateur Footballer
- Life Member of West Torrens 1979
- Member of the South Australian Football Hall of FameSouth Australian Football Hall of FameThe South Australian Football Hall of Fame was created in 2002 to recognise the players, coaches, umpires, administrators and journalists who had made a significant contribution in the South Australian National Football League...
(inducted 2004)
Other
Jackson completed a Bachelor of Economics at the University of AdelaideUniversity of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide is a public university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third oldest university in Australia...
and a Management Development Program at the Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School is the graduate business school of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, United States and is widely recognized as one of the top business schools in the world. The school offers the world's largest full-time MBA program, doctoral programs, and many executive...
. He has worked in several positions including Managing Director of Thomas Hardy & Sons Pty Limited, General Manager and Director of BRL Hardy Limited and Managing Director of The South Australian Brewing Company Pty Limited.
Wayne also attended Prince Alfred College
Prince Alfred College
Prince Alfred College is an independent, day and boarding school for boys, located on Dequetteville Terrace, Kent Town, near the centre of Adelaide, South Australia...
.