Richmond CEO Brendon Gale is set to depart Punt Road at the end of the 2024 season and join Tasmania.
After 15 years as Tigers chief executive, Gale - who's been instrumental in bringing the club back to relevancy after a tumultuous stretch of years, including three premierships - says it's time to leave the Tigers, a club he's spent the majority of his life at.
“I have spent half my life at this Club as an administrator and player. It is time for me to embark on a new challenge, and for the Club to write the next chapter,” Gale said on Friday.
“I'll remain absolutely focused on the job at hand for the coming months. It is an exciting and challenging period for us on and off the field.
“The breadth and depth of our leadership is a real feature of our club, and we are all getting on with the job at hand and that is where my energies will be focused.”
Gale - who has long been linked to the CEO job for the AFL's incoming 19th team Tasmania - was confirmed shortly after the news departing from Punt Road, beginning his duties early in 2025.
Chair of the Tasmania Football Club, Grant O'Brien said he was thrilled on behalf of the Club's membership, supporters and all Tasmanians.
“Not only have we got a highly successful and proven AFL Club CEO, we have also tempted home a proud son of Tasmania.
“Brendon grew up on the North West Coast of Tasmania, and before his incredible 244-game career at AFL level, he played his early football for Burnie Hawks and represented Tasmanian four times.
“This is an enormous vote of confidence in our Club.
“Brendon is fully committed to focusing on completing his role at the Richmond Football Club in the same professional manner that has been a feature of his leadership at the Club, and while we are excited, we respect the fact that he has a big job to complete before we can welcome him home to Tasmanian football."