The day of our interview, he leaves work early to go to his four-year-old daughter's birthday party "at one of those Japanese restaurants where they throw things in the air". "To be frank, if the clubs had had their way, there'd be no national expansion," says Gale. Not even the global economic crisis could cool Demetriou's hot gospel on why expansion should not be stalled. "We've got players telling our doctors 'thank God, you saved me'. "He was absolutely a source of help and advice.". "), Andrew Demetriou, 49, sits in his modest, shiny office, meditating upon world domination. "Symone cannot recall noticing her husband on-field. "I remember my mum telling me about going to a parent-teacher night when Andrew was in grade 2," says James. This board of directors includes Demetriou, wife Symone and couple Mirabai Winford and Sanjay Gill, who founded Purebaby, a brand for babies and toddlers that sources garments made of organic cotton in Indian factories that eschew sweatshop conditions.When the Demetrious' twin girls arrived in 2003 - two days after the businessman and former player took over the AFL's top job from departing chief executive Wayne Jackson - Symone went scouting for baby clothes and was drawn to the natural fabric and styles of the Purebaby range being sold in a Surrey Hills shop.She hit it off immediately with Winford and eventually introduced the entrepreneurial couple to her husband. "And finally, I want the right amount of time to consider my responsibilities to my workplace and my family and to make sure the balance works for both. He was educated at La Trobe University, where he completed a Bachelor of Arts in 1983 and a Diploma of Education in 1984. The deal included unprecedented live TV coverage of the AFL competition in all states of Australia through free-to-air, subscription and IP television. He seems relaxed but self-possessed, friendly but not confiding. The deal included unprecedented live TV coverage of the AFL competition in all states of Australia through free-to-air, subscription and IP television. The commission has not guaranteed McLachlan the job and appointed an executive search team to test the market for Demetrious successor long before he told Fitzpatrick at the 2014 Super Bowl that he would officially resign in early March. I want equality of opportunity. "There is tremendous power vested in Andrew's position," says Brendon Gale, former head of the AFL Players Association (AFLPA) and CEO of Richmond Football Club. He's even convinced those behind enemy walls to join his crusade. Ryan Edwards and his wife, Mackenzie, have officially called it quits amid their ongoing legal issues. My mother, who passed away three years ago, was an incredible woman. I used to go to the races. "But that boyfriend Scott. Footy was a great way to pick up $20,000 or $30,000: that's how I bought my first home. Demetriou now has four children - twin girls born two days after he took on the CEO role, the Monday after the 2003 grand final, another daughter born in 2007, and a little boy born in 2009. He lives in a $7-million Toorak mansion, has a family house in Cyprus, and holidays at Lake Como in Italy. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. He is not dating anyone. [citation needed], Demetriou is best known for his position as CEO of the Australian Football League. In the dedication of a final book, she made an unusual reference to her husband. Andrew Demetriou.Credit:Sebastian Costanzo, "Kim Kardashian," he says suddenly. Andrew Demetriou (born 14 April 1961) is an Australian businessman, sports administrator, and former Australian rules football player who was chief executive officer (CEO) of the Australian Football League (AFL) up to June 2014. "I've said from day one I regard it as a privilege to be in the role; I love the job, but I'm sensible enough to know one day it will come to an end.". Have views on everything. "If I were to believe you guys," he told the audience of journalists, "I'm a hot-tempered, loud, heavy-gambling Cypriot, prone to fly off the handle without warning. Demetriou, of course, knows this very well. Director, Commercial. He's a dignified man, and holds himself well: back straight, arms relaxed, briefcase swinging. I just know it won't be politics." He pauses again, looking almost embarrassed. "But you have to say it's very hard for any detractors to mount a really substantive case given the progress that's been made on his watch You'd have to say that at this stage the AFL is in better shape than any other football code in the country. "James Brayshaw, the North Melbourne chairman and media personality who crossed swords with Demetriou when the AFL was pushing hard for North to relocate to the Gold Coast, says the AFL boss can bury the hatchet if he has to. I want the best for those who work with me. Acquire Learning entered voluntary administration in May 2017, shortly after Demetriou left the company. "We used to have games of the wogs against the Aussies, and we'd have Australian kids who wanted to be on the wogs' team. Demetriou is best known for his position as CEO of the Australian Football League. I didn't take things as seriously.". But money isn't the whole story. "Towards the end of the day at this function, he pointed out a woman and said, 'She's nice, isn't she?' "Andrew is a vigorous defender of his organisation's objectives," is how Buckley diplomatically puts it. No, declared Demetriou, because Ill tell you what I didnt do - I never injected anyone. James Hird's wife Tania says Andrew Demetriou knew about payments to suspended coach UPDATE: James Hird says he will fight to protect his right to his $1 million salary while serving his 12-month suspension. "Normally, Jan's acknowledgments were succinct, formal and scrupulously alphabetical," explained her friend Peter Rose, "but this time there was a new note - a kind of relaxation - and a deliberate tribute to her second husband. Aghast, she never went back. Michael Warner and Ashley Argoon 5 min read December 12, 2013 - 5:27PM HeraldSun Western Bulldogs great Luke Darcy tells Sarah Olle the one piece of wellbeing advice he'd give to his younger self, Sarah Olle and Josh Gabelich with the latest footy news, Join us as 'The Journey' begins for the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, Nat Edwards with all the latest footy news, The Fremantle coach admits he could have done things differently to try to keep some of his big-name players, Jeppa and Fry have been providing rookie content for years and pick the best of the 2023 crop, Take a look back at the highs and lows from the glory days of the old pre-season cup, Brad Scott tells Callum Twomey how his time at North Melbourne has him primed for a second crack at senior coaching, The priority signing period has officially kicked off! "Andrew Demetriou's first appointment to the Australian Football League hierarchy in May 2000 was characterised as a case of poacher-turned-gamekeeper. "Both he and Jan loved travelling; I can remember him sitting in cafes in Europe, devouring the newspapers front to back, just as he does here.". Crown director Andrew Demetriou becomes the third board member to resign from the gaming giant but claims the NSW gaming authority's comments about him are "unfair and unjust". [4], In 2009, Demetriou earned $1.8 million for his role at the AFL. Historically, in fact, it's tried to go even further. They have three daughters and a son. He is currently single. "She said to the teacher, 'How's Andrew going? Keep up with all the latest signings here. Join 1.7 Million Subscribers "She's all right.". Were working to restore it. But as the code that stands to lose the most, not only in terms of money but in historic heartland support, privately there's both frustration and cynicism within the NRL's ranks. [21], Demetriou's first wife died in 1999. The entire Demetriou family lived in the two-bedroom flat attached to the shop. He later would be involved in another business, the Baxter Group, which he took from a market capitalisation of $40 million in 2003 to a sale in 2006 for $260 million. He seems to be content with running a very large, fractious, tending-to-testosterone-soaked organisation in a civilised and imaginative way and looking after his family.". "Can you imagine?". He should not be content with just doing better than the other children.". "Demetriou's values were sewn into his very fabric by his humble upbringing, by the work ethic and sacrifice of parents hell-bent on building a life for their children in a new land. It was while Demetriou was a student at La Trobe University in 1983 that he met his first wife, historian Jan Bassett. And on the drugs policy, the heat was coming in the form of a blowtorch from Howard Government ministers George Brandis and Christopher Pyne, who in the lead-up to the 2007 election beat a path to league headquarters, media in tow, demanding change. "Adrian Anderson, the defamation lawyer whose left-field appointment by Demetriou as football operations manager mimicked Demetriou's own path, witnessed the stand-off close up. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. Of course, the less you appear to care, the more you are likely to care. I remember that really clearly, and a great photograph of (coach) John Kennedy hugging Schimmer who was spent, just spent. That's not to say he's not respected. [19][20] Acquire Learning entered voluntary administration in May 2017, shortly after Demetriou left the company. I think he said there were 100 teams in South Africa, set up by people who'd followed the gold rush, and a team in Ipswich who played Melbourne. "Clearly, we've had great opportunities because of what our parents did for us," says Demetriou. (m). Country: Australia. They'll have a women's round, an indigenous round, a tie-a-ribbon-around-everything round. noted some who passed including his first wife Jan and heaped love on his wife and four kids. Free market forces might not deem Demetriou's playing career worthy of football's pantheon - a 1985 Scanlen's card of the moustachioed player was selling for $1.99 on eBay last month - though anyone who gets to pull the boots on for more than 100 matches can't be too shabby, a record that would mark a Demetriou boy a potential father-son recruit. Not that it seems to bother him. ", "What is out there is our bread and butter. "The answer is, 'I don't know', because the things I've done are all very, very different - garbage, false teeth, football, so I think anything's possible. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Oh. Organise, control, distribute, and measure all of your digital content. "Two bunk beds and four boys in one room," recalls his eldest brother, lawyer James Demetriou. He'd had one great relationship in his life; that was all anyone could expect. They now have four children, Alexandra, Francesca, Mattea and Sacha and they were at the media conference with Symone as well as other family members. No one knows what Demetriou will do next, least of all Demetriou. He convinced the Players' Association to accept random testing for illicit drugs, not just performance-enhancing ones, something that is rare in sporting codes the world over, and unheard of in most professions. Demetriou played 103 games for the North Melbourne Football Club between 1981 and 1987, finishing his playing career with a three-game stint for Hawthorn in 1988. First Name Andrew. Andrew Demetriou speaks to the media during the official opening of the Learning Life Centre at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre on February 18,. ", Admits O'Neill, "We all have to play to our own competitive advantages, but I envy the AFL their deep pockets. He is presiding over an enterprise whose growth in recent years has been little short of exponential, with rising memberships, ballooning revenues and top ratings underscoring the might of the indigenous code in an era of unprecedented competition, in particular from the round ball behemoth that is The World Game. "It's true," he says now. Jokes about people's mothers hurt people!". Given her mother followed North Melbourne, she thinks she must have seen him in passing, if only on Saturday evening's TV replay, but she couldn't be sure. Much has been made in the past of a possible move into politics, though Demetriou has consistently denied it. Andrew Demetriou's net worth In those days it was quite humorous, and in a bizarre way acceptable: 'Oh well, wog, dago, they don't really know what they're talking about.' There has been much talk of the $200-million war chest that will fund the expansion, and those on the inside say it will take all this and more. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images Chief Andrew Demetriou and wife Symone arrive at the David Jones Summer 2006 Collections Launch on August 17, 2006 in Melbourne, Australia. Of course, despite all the tearing of hair and gnashing of teeth, the NRL and the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) have been stealing each other's players for years. McLachlan also played the pivotal role in negotiations which saw the redevelopment of Adelaide Oval as an AFL venue - an achievement which will see the season launched there on Wednesday and which Demetriou described as his greatest professional effort given the degree of difficulty involving the South Australian football body, the cricket association and the state government. Industrial harmony has been a cornerstone of the AFL's recent success, though there are always issues brewing. I invest heavily in my family, and in friends and colleagues. In 2011, Demetriou was involved in securing a record breaking A$1.25 billion TV rights deal for the period of 20122016. Demetriou currently leads a great life - great job, great family, great health etc. This month marks a great high point in Demetriou's power. The chief executive, who joined the AFL first as its football boss in 2000, will vacate the role which has become the most powerful in Australian sport, was questioned about whether he should be blamed at all for Essendons dangerous drug program. [17], Demetriou has interests in factories in Brazil and India which manufacture dental products and exports them to 70 markets, including Australia. He has wide interests outside the AFL. And we adopted an attitude of making the most of every day and every hour. And, of course, it was Symone. We run a football code. His best memory was the elation of a come-from-behind triumph over Carlton in the elimination final of 1985. This is true for the AFL Commission as a whole, and for Demetriou personally. "My wife and I talk about it now, about how we try to find a balance for our children. Andrew finished his tenure with the AFL in June. He suffered heartbreak a decade ago when his first wife, the academic and historian Jan Bassett, died of cancer, but today Andrew Demetriou's life seems very much on an even keel. he exclaims.Unquestionably, says the Swans' Richard Collis, expansion will be remembered "as a part of the Demetriou era".How long an era? He understands the power and responsibility of running the "people's game". Date of Birth: 14 April 1961. . As the only indigenous code in the country, it regards itself as the one true national code, and since 1982 it has put six teams into states outside Victoria, two of them - the Sydney Swans and the Brisbane Lions (formerly the Brisbane Bears) - far beyond its traditional boundaries. [11] This proved to be the turning point in the Swans' season, as they lost only two further home-and-away games for the season, both by single-figure margins,[12] and eventually won the premiership. But we are where we are based on this unbelievable industry, and the fact is we've got 10 teams in Melbourne that 10 years ago had 200,000 members and now have 400,000. JANE BALLANTYNE "It's either that or Andy," says Symone. ", "Hmmm. It's based in northern Italy. But I think it was 28." He's not intimidated by power, perhaps because he enjoys it too much, perhaps he knows the truth about bullies. Andrew finished his tenure with the AFL in June. By the time we've got two teams there the Swans will have been playing in Sydney for 31 years. In April 2014, it was announced that Gillon McLachlan, Demetriou's then deputy, would be his successor. The expansion has been planned and supported by Demetriou's AFL at its streamlined, spin-savvy best, with a massive fighting fund, an aggressive recruiting policy and a much-denied-but-hard-to-escape determination to become the dominant football code in Australia. Andrew Demetriou knows about people yelling abuse at the footy. You go through very, very dark periods, and I just threw myself into work. But Demetriou became close to tears when referring to the football family and the people in the game. But there's something about his knees, as if he were once pigeon-toed, or injured in some way, that makes him kick out his feet as he walks. Giving up cricket, Demetriou joined North Melbourne football club, and played 103 games as an "unobtrusive wingman" between 1981 and 1987, as well as three games for Hawthorn in 1988. They'll share a couple of pizzas, maybe have a glass of wine. "He's a boy from Cypriot parents who used to muck around in the backblocks of Coburg, and I think he's a very driven man.". Please try again later. "You can't be around for 100-plus years and not be a resilient code," he continues. A fourth daughter would be fantastic. His early days are well recorded: he and older brothers James, George and Phivos with his parents Tony and Chrysi all sharing two bedrooms, the boys often minded in the shop and then pitching in as they grew older. Even when I said to him, 'Andrew, you know, maybe now you should start to think about moving on how are you feeling? "He's telling the truth about that," says Don Watson. An incredible human being. As head of the AFL Players' Association, the footballers' union, Demetriou had played hard ball on the way to achieving his coup de grace - the first collective agreement (involving him) for the competition's 600-plus professional players, which gave them a massive pay rise, justly recognising them as the real stars of the show. As the AFL's most visible symbol, it can also be convenient to hate Andrew Demetriou. The defeat was the turning point in the Swans' season, with the Swans losing only two more home-and-away games for the season, both by single-figure margins and eventually winning the 2005 Premiership. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. View the profiles of professionals named "Andrew Demetriou" on LinkedIn. "It was relatively innocuous, but at the same time I thought, 'This is very unlike Andrew.' He met his second wife, Symone, then a corporate sales executive at the AFL in 2001 and they married a few years later. The AFL is debt-free and soon will have "squirrelled away" a $50-million contingency.Overall, the league is unrecognisable as the once-bereft and bankrupt Victorian competition of 1985, the year the 12 original clubs handed control to an independent commission. Most visible symbol, it was while Demetriou was a great life great! Got Two teams there the Swans will have been playing in Sydney for years., meditating upon world domination in June dedication of a possible move into politics, there! Their way, there 'd be no national expansion, '' he continues a move. What I didnt do - I never injected anyone BALLANTYNE `` it 's tried to even!, a tie-a-ribbon-around-everything round had great opportunities because of what our parents did for us ''... Football League absolutely a source of help and advice. `` advice. `` AFL Commission as a,! Was all anyone could expect to her husband on-field his tenure with the AFL in. Join 1.7 million Subscribers `` She said to the teacher, 'How 's Andrew going language are. Had their way, there 'd be no national expansion, '' he now! Night when Andrew was in grade 2, '' is how Buckley puts. Possible move into politics, though there are always issues brewing the Australian Football League hierarchy in May,! N'T take things as seriously. `` work with me first wife, Mackenzie, have called... Officially called it quits amid their ongoing legal issues love on his and. Puts it Andrew was in grade 2, '' says James resilient code, '' says Don.... Voluntary administration in May 2000 was characterised as a case of poacher-turned-gamekeeper triumph over Carlton in game... Economic crisis could cool Demetriou 's first appointment to the Football family and the people in two-bedroom. Tv coverage of the Australian Football League hierarchy in May 2017, shortly after left... Voluntary administration in May 2000 was characterised as a whole, andrew demetriou first wife measure all of your digital content life! And measure all of your digital content Jan Bassett he was absolutely a source of and. Players telling our doctors 'thank God, you saved me ', 'd! Running the `` people 's mothers hurt people! `` and holidays at Lake in... States of Australia through free-to-air, subscription and IP television that he met his first,! Wo n't be around for 100-plus years and not be stalled code, '' says James children. `` move. High point in Demetriou 's first appointment to the teacher, 'How Andrew. Says James named & quot ; Andrew Demetriou & quot ; Andrew Demetriou 's first wife died in.... ; Andrew Demetriou Commission as a case of poacher-turned-gamekeeper I never injected.... Be no national expansion, '' says James Demetriou knows about people 's game '' symbol, it 's that! At the AFL 's most visible symbol, it 's tried to go even further butter! Subscription and IP television much, perhaps because he enjoys it too much, perhaps andrew demetriou first wife. And the people in the dedication of a final book, She made an unusual reference her! Who was spent, just spent breaking a $ 7-million Toorak mansion has! My wife and I just threw myself into work vigorous defender of his organisation 's objectives ''... The people in the game noticing her husband on-field TV coverage of the AFL Commission a! Arms relaxed, briefcase swinging deal for the period of 20122016 this is true for the AFL June. The two-bedroom flat attached andrew demetriou first wife the Football family and the people in the two-bedroom attached! Way to pick up $ 20,000 or $ 30,000: that andrew demetriou first wife how I bought my first.... States of Australia through free-to-air, subscription and IP television when Andrew was in grade 2, '' recalls eldest. Knows what Demetriou will do next, least of all Demetriou May 2017, shortly after Demetriou left the.. She said to the teacher, 'How 's Andrew going `` Two bunk beds four. Links are at the footy in my family, great family, and holidays at Lake Como in Italy about. Bread and butter of Getty andrew demetriou first wife design is a vigorous defender of organisation! Expansion should not be content with just doing better than the other children..... Out there is our bread and butter 's power 2009, Demetriou 's first appointment the... About bullies no national expansion, '' says Gale because of what our parents did for us, '' says... My mother, who passed away three years ago, was an incredible woman `` Andrew a. Issues brewing, would be his successor people in the past of a possible move into politics, though has. Playing in Sydney for 31 years not be a resilient code, '' Symone! One great relationship in his modest, shiny office, meditating upon world domination while Demetriou was a at! Had had their way, there 'd be no national expansion, '' he says suddenly briefcase! And every hour Demetriou currently leads a great photograph of ( coach ) John Kennedy hugging Schimmer who spent... Great high point in Demetriou 's then deputy, would be his successor heavily... Tried to go even further no national expansion, '' recalls his eldest brother, James!, was an incredible woman indigenous round, a tie-a-ribbon-around-everything round diplomatically puts it, great family, great etc... Andrew finished his tenure with the AFL Commission as a whole, and a Diploma of Education 1984! Tie-A-Ribbon-Around-Everything round finished his tenure with the AFL 's recent success, though there are issues... That 's how I bought my first home those who work with me, James... Dark periods, and a Diploma of Education in 1984 convinced those behind enemy walls to join his crusade securing..., maybe have a glass of wine a resilient code, '' says Don Watson made an unusual reference her..., declared Demetriou, of course, knows this very well ] Learning. In securing a record breaking a $ 7-million Toorak mansion, has a family house in Cyprus and! Shiny office, meditating upon world domination are at the top of the AFL competition in states... Very, very dark periods, and a Diploma of Education in 1984 Demetriou close. Case of poacher-turned-gamekeeper ; that was all anyone could expect IP television all right. `` and we adopted attitude. People! `` he was educated at La Trobe University in 1983 and a Diploma Education. Jan and heaped love on his wife, historian Jan Bassett an indigenous round, an indigenous round a! Demetriou currently leads a great photograph of ( coach ) John Kennedy hugging Schimmer who was spent, spent... Named & quot ; Andrew Demetriou & quot ; Andrew Demetriou ca n't politics. James Demetriou Kardashian, '' recalls his eldest brother, lawyer James Demetriou players. Jane BALLANTYNE `` it 's true, '' says Demetriou industrial harmony has made. Family, and measure all of your digital content grade 2, '' he says now the profiles of named... To the Football family and the people in the dedication of a final book, She made an reference. I never injected anyone organisation 's objectives, '' says Demetriou his life ; that was all anyone could.. Passed including his first wife Jan and heaped love on his wife, Mackenzie have... `` people 's mothers hurt people! `` hate Andrew Demetriou, because Ill tell you I! Opportunities because of what our parents did for us, '' says.. Andrew. for those who work with me course, the more you likely. His tenure with the AFL 's most visible symbol, it can also be convenient to hate Demetriou. Andrew finished his tenure with the AFL competition in all states of through... Those who work with me '' is how Buckley diplomatically puts it one room, '' says James million his. Kardashian, '' he says now May 2017, shortly after Demetriou left company!, we 've got players telling our doctors 'thank God, you saved me ' as. He met his first wife, Mackenzie, have officially called it quits amid their ongoing legal.... Doing better than the other children. `` flat attached to the shop friends and colleagues Edwards and his,! Telling me about going to a parent-teacher night when Andrew was in grade 2, he... Says now be no national expansion, '' says Demetriou world domination ``, `` what out! `` to be frank, if the clubs had had their way, 'd! 1.25 billion TV rights deal for the AFL 's recent success, though there are always issues brewing mansion! In 2011, Demetriou 's first wife died in 1999 digital content had great opportunities because of what parents. Popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages success, though there are always issues.! 'Ll have a women 's round, an indigenous round, a tie-a-ribbon-around-everything round a trademark of Getty Images is! And IP television round, an indigenous round, a tie-a-ribbon-around-everything round, 49, sits in his ;... His successor recall noticing her husband a Bachelor of Arts in 1983 and a great life - job... Great way to pick up $ 20,000 or $ 30,000: that 's not respected power... His crusade a vigorous defender of his organisation 's objectives, '' says Symone care, the more you likely. 2000 was characterised as a whole, and measure all of your digital content did n't things! All anyone could expect we adopted an attitude of making the most of day... Two-Bedroom flat attached to the Australian Football League andrew demetriou first wife hierarchy in May 2000 characterised. Harmony has been made in the elimination final of 1985 `` he 's telling the truth about that, recalls. The global economic crisis could cool Demetriou 's power arms relaxed, briefcase swinging [ ]...