Current chief commercial office Anthony Abdo leads the race for the vacant chief executive position at the NRL.

Seemingly under pressure from the effects of coronavirus, the NRL will be hoping to finalise the situation as the competition aims to resume in late May. 

Placed as the interim chief executive officer after Todd Greenberg vacated the role, Abdo is seemingly in pole position as other leading names shied away from the role. 

Already named as possible replacements South Sydney Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly, his equals Don Furner of Canberra Raiders and Dave Donaghy of Melbourne Storm have already denied their interest.

“I’m happy and content in Melbourne and focused on the work to do with Storm,” Donaghy said in a short statement to AAP.

“I won’t be applying. Very happy at SSFC”, said Solly. 

Accor Hotels chief operating officer Simon McGrath has also been listed as a rumoured candidate as his employers and the NRL already enjoy a strong relationship, though he has firmly denied any interest.

“My position is that whilst I acknowledge the NRL role is so critical and worthwhile to our community - I am not interested,” McGrath told News Corp.

Brisbane Broncos boss Paul White has also been mentioned, but even though this season with the Queensland-based side will be his last, he opted to remain coy about the possibility. 

“My sole focus is on getting the Broncos through this unprecedented and critical time in our history and ensuring rugby league returns to the field as quickly as possible,” he said.

With possible candidates seemingly uninterested in replacing Greenberg, Abdo is currently viewed as the man to permanently take over.