Tony Sutton, chief executive of the Rugby Football League (RFL), has announced he will step down from his role after two years at the helm.
Sutton brings extensive experience in the sport, having spent 13 years with Hull FC before joining the RFL as director of finance and facilities in February 2017. He was appointed chief operating officer in January 2019, and took over from Ralph Rimmer on an interim basis in December 2022, before being confirmed as chief executive in March 2023.
Reflecting on his tenure, Sutton said: “It has been a privilege to work in a sport I have come to love over more than two decades, with Hull FC and the RFL – and especially to hold the position of chief executive of the RFL for the past three years. There have inevitably been major challenges during that period, most obviously the pandemic of 2020 – but throughout them all, it is the commitment and support of the staff of the RFL that I will remember the most fondly. Rugby league is a unique sport, full of special people, and I will always be grateful for the opportunities and experiences it has provided.”
Sutton will continue to assist the RFL board for the remainder of 2025, including overseeing the upcoming expansion of the Super League for the next season.
The RFL added that its executive management teams, supported by both boards, are well-positioned to make the most of upcoming opportunities in the sport and to manage the recruitment process for Sutton’s successor.
