More info on this, Eddie Mcguire appointed the bloke for the AFL Commission
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/former-news-corp-australia-chief-kim-williams-named-an-afl-commissioner/story-e6frg996-1226829413777FORMER News Corp Australia boss Kim Williams has been named the AFL's newest commissioner.
AFL chairman Mike Fitzpatrick nominated Williams for the non-executive role at an announcement in Sydney today.
He replaces Rio Tinto chief financial officer Chris Lynch, who will step down on March 4 after six years in the role.
The media executive joins a number of other businessmen on the commission, including Wesfarmers chief executive Richard Goyder and Seek co-founder Paul Bassat.
Williams abruptly stood down as News Corp chief executive in August last year after less than two years in the job.
He previously spent a decade as head of pay TV company Foxtel.
The appointment comes as the AFL reportedly looks to bring forward negotiations over television broadcast rights.
News Corp Australia is the publisher of The Australian.
Fitzpatrick thanked Lynch for his role in developing the game at a time of great change, which included the addition of Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney.
He said Williams’ nomination was recommended by a sub-committee made up of himself, Collingwood president Eddie McGuire, West Coast chairman Alan Cransberg and current commissioner Linda Dessau.“Kim will bring significant experience and knowledge of broadcasting, print and digital media to the role, as well as his well-known life-long interest in the arts,” Fitzpatrick told reporters.
“He’s one of Australia’s most dynamic and creative business people.
“We welcome his intellect and his vision to Commission deliberations.”
Williams said it was a great honour to join the AFL.
“I look forward to being a dedicated contributor to Commission affairs and I trust that my skill set will represent something that combines harmoniously with that of the other commissioners,” he said.
Williams was an invited observer at the AFL Commission’s meeting in Sydney today.
Fitzpatrick confirmed the league’s controversial cost of living allowances was being discussed, but was not a “key” item.
He said he didn’t anticipate a decision on any potential changes to the current regulations at today’s meeting, but hopes the AFL will reach “some sort of conclusion” in the next two to three months.
“Obviously whatever happens, clubs have to plan,” he added.
Asked whether the issue of cost of living issue was connected to the Sydney Swans’ multi-million acquisition of Lance Franklin, Fitzpatrick said: “It’s not specifically.
“(It) has been under discussion for sometime. I think the Franklin deal, to be frank, it was almost exogenous when it turned up. It turned up over the deal.”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/former-news-limited-chief-executive-kim-williams-to-join-afl-commission/story-fni5f22o-1226829208189FORMER News Limited chief executive Kim Williams is joining the AFL Commission.
Williams will fill the vacancy created by retiring commissioner and Rio Tinto executive Chris Lynch.
Commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick said Williams’ nomination was recommended by a sub-committee including himself, Collingwood president Eddie McGuire, West Coast chairman Alan Cransberg and commissioner Linda Dessau.
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“Kim will bring significant experience and knowledge of broadcasting, print and digital media to the role, as well as his well-known life-long interest in the arts,” Fitzpatrick said.
“He’s one of Australia’s most dynamic and creative business people. We welcome his intellect and his vision to commission deliberations.”
Williams’ nomination will become official at the league’s annual general meeting on March 4.
“I look forward to being a dedicated contributor to commission affairs and I trust that my skill set will represent something that combines harmoniously with that of the other commissioners,” he said.
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The appointment of Williams, 61, a former head of Foxtel, comes as the league eyes off its next lucrative broadcast rights contract.
A Port Adelaide fan, Williams has also headed the Australian Film Commission and Southern Star Entertainment.
It can be revealed former Channel Nine boss Jeff Browne knocked back an approach to join the commission late last year.
“I was called but I just felt the time wasn’t right for me ,” Browne said yesterday.
Browne’s decision disappointed several prominent club officials who were keen for the league’s former lawyer to return to the industry.
The nine-person league commission now comprises Fitzpatrick, Dessau, Williams, chief executive Andrew Demetriou, Paul Bassat, Richard Goyder, Bill Kelty, Chris Langford and Sam Mostyn.
Edited by wamackie: 1/3/2014 03:43:41 AM