The AFL chief executive's first year in the job has been rocky, with the continued Essendon drugs saga and the Adam Goodes booing controversy. But the former management consultant came through with a blinder in August, inking a $2.5 billion, six‑year broadcast deal with News Corp, Seven West Media and Telstra, the largest in Australian sporting history.

2. Dave Smith

The former banker has entrenched his power in rugby league after a difficult start. The NRL chief executive oversaw a record $925 million TV deal with Nine Entertainment Co in August and has convinced NSW Premier Mike Baird to shell out $1.6 billion to modernise major NSW stadiums; three are venues where NRL clubs play.

3. John Coates

No Australian sports administrator has a bigger influence on the global stage than Australian Olympic Committee president Coates. An International Olympic Committee vice-president, Coates' influence will be vital for a mooted Olympics bid by the south-east Queensland region. He was integral to the IOC locking in a big broadcast deal with Seven West Media for the next three Olympics.

4. James Sutherland

The chief executive of Cricket Australia has a new Australian team captain, Steve Smith, after the Ashes series disaster. But summer beckons, meaning cricket will be firmly in the consciousness of sports fans. The T20 Big Bash League, established under Sutherland, continues to thrive, and his influence grows at the global administration level.

5. David Gallop


In some ways the A-league is thriving under the watch of Football Federation Australia chief executive Gallop; crowds are bigger than ever, as are broadcast figures. But clubs still have financial problems, and the FFA was forced to take over the Newcastle Jets. Much more positive was the Socceroos' thrilling win of the Asian Cup in January, the team's first major trophy. Gallop is expected to build on soccer's huge participation numbers to win more government funding for facilities and development programs.

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The AFR Magazine Power issue, out Friday September 25 inside The Australian Financial Review.