andrew demetriou first wife

Demetriou became emotional when he talked about those loved ones and colleagues he had lost during his time in the game's administration - his first wife Jan Bassett, mother Chrysi, former AFL . And some suggested a life in politics back in 2005, when he openly questioned whether Australia had become mean-spirited compared to the optimistic country that welcomed his parents in the 1950s, challenging directly the Howard Government's tough asylum-seeker laws in the wake of the Tampa incident. Demetriou, a straight talker who supporters and critics alike recognise for his negotiating steel as much as they do for his decisiveness on policy issues, has used his CEO tenure to build on the league's expanding reputation as a force for cultural and social change, championing racial equality, cancer awareness and respect for women while putting player welfare at the forefront of league policies on pay and illicit drug use. She and Andrew married soon afterwards (friends recall him saying he wished he'd done it earlier), and Bassett fought the illness for three years. In 2008, Demetriou earned an annual salary of $1.4 million, making him the highest paid administrator or player then employed by the AFL. 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". Suddenly, he was switching teams.The irony was hardly lost on his new colleagues. "I spend more time reading the front part of the paper rather than sport. It's the day before our Lindsay Lohan conversation, and he's leaning back in a dark sofa, one arm hanging over its side. Chairing several companies after his retirement from playing, he was appointed CEO of the AFL Players Association in 1998, and was responsible for negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players. Some ex-footballers move with the grace of movie stars. The AFL chief executive, whose successor could be named as early as May, has declared a wish to serve out the 2014 football season, demanded and received great loyalty from his staff who became emboldened themselves by a leader they regarded as fearless. "She's all right.". What followed next was his second marriage in 2002 with Symone, who is currently his wife. The idea of expansion is also in the DNA of the AFL. It hurts people. This is in itself quite charming. He might be just a very good actor, but I don't think he's addicted to the clout he has - I'm sure he likes it, and I'm sure he likes winning and doesn't like losing. "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. I always appreciate the great obligation we've got to the game. "What people don't realise is that it hasn't been easy for him," says James. In 2005 Demetriou criticised the Sydney Swans and then-coach Paul Roos, labelling the team's play as "unattractive" and "ugly". "Just the four of us. Demetriou is uniquely fitted for the expansionist task by two great strengths: his belief in the game's ability to promote causes like multiculturalism and egalitarianism, and his expertise in harnessing exactly these causes to make a great deal of money. He met his second wife, Symone, then a corporate sales executive at the AFL in 2001 and they married a few years later. In 2009, Demetriou earned $1.8 million for his role at the AFL. By the time we've got two teams there the Swans will have been playing in Sydney for 31 years. And it was possibly a greater asset to him than his kicking, which could be a bit hit and miss. Demetriou has a regular spot with Red Symons on Melbourne radio station ABC 774. Demetriou gives little away. Demetriou kicked two goals. He is from Australian. "Definitely. He says the national game has a record of kicking into a stiff breeze and still scoring goals, and timing is everything: key sponsors have been bedded down until 2011, the players agreement is locked in similarly and the broadcasting rights will be re-negotiated when the country is likely pulling out of its slowdown. '," Demetriou reflects now. "I don't make any decisions without everything having been thought through, chewed up, sliced, diced, looked at inside out, been criticised," he says. but that is not to say that he hasn't experienced challenges to get to that point and won't continue to. I get home and see the children, help with the bath, reading books, getting to bed. I remember those calls"I just remember their work ethic and their sacrifice to give us better opportunities. "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. Even his generally unemotional chairman Mike Fitzpatrick wiped away something resembling a tear at that point. "Clearly, we've had great opportunities because of what our parents did for us," says Demetriou. Does he ever have time on his own? Correction: CLARIFICATION A profile of AFL boss Andrew Demetriou published yesterday in The Age (Melbourne) Magazine referred to the 1998 AFL players' deal as the first collective agreement struck on their behalf. Collect, curate and comment on your files. " Red Symons recalls. What we've said all along is that we're just offering another option for young children to take up the game. So he was really pointing out missed opportunities. We manufacture and distribute false teeth. Beyond this foundation, the brothers' childhoods combined both genuine acceptance and deep-rooted racism. He has wide interests outside the AFL. "He's quite immune to status and reputation and the thuggery that tends to go with it. ", Admits O'Neill, "We all have to play to our own competitive advantages, but I envy the AFL their deep pockets. But should his long-serving deputy, who knocked back the NRL job in early 2013, fail to succeed him then McLachlan too would leave. It was while Demetriou was a student at La Trobe University in 1983 that he met his first wife, historian Jan Bassett. I don't think there's anything wrong with giving people options.". I remember my mother getting the same call. "My wife and I talk about it now, about how we try to find a balance for our children. And I read the form guide, which I love. So my career was teaching. A month after the ex-AFL chief and former Crown Melbourne chairman gave a televised public lesson in October in how . Not even the global economic crisis could cool Demetriou's hot gospel on why expansion should not be stalled. Were working to restore it. The entire Demetriou family lived in the two-bedroom flat attached to the shop. Historically, in fact, it's tried to go even further. Chief executive Andrew Demetriou is kissed by his wife Symone as his daughters Francesca and Alexandra look on during an AFL press conference at AFL. It had got a lot easier by the time Andrew went through - his cohort was that big '60s influx of migrants - but I know he copped it on the footy field. ". We're not drug experts. At AFL House, there's also a sense of higher purpose: a desire for expansion to carry the torch of Aussie rules enlightenment into the darkness of heathen league, union and soccer lands. He still has this quality of que sera sera effortlessness, say those close to him. But Demetriou, the negotiator, has talked them around. He's revolutionised the code's response to illicit drug use; initiated a policy to improve the treatment of women; allowed free movement of uncontracted, end-of-term players between clubs; and supported some of the strongest anti-discrimination policies in international sport. His first wife died in 1999. No, declared Demetriou, because Ill tell you what I didnt do - I never injected anyone. They've just gone to Blacktown because they think they can get some money from the government.". She was his tutor, several years older than him and a noted academic. 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. "He's telling the truth about that," says Don Watson. [citation needed], Demetriou is best known for his position as CEO of the Australian Football League. To many league supporters, it was the defection of top players Israel Folau and Karmichael Hunt - both State of Origin and international stars - that made what had been a largely theoretical idea of an 18-team AFL suddenly intensely personal. 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. In 1996, Bassett was diagnosed with breast cancer. A fourth daughter would be fantastic. Aries. She would have been 14 at the time of his most cherished football moment, but by then had jumped onto the bandwagon of the team that would go back-to-back that year, Essendon. He has an older brother Jim Demetriou who played senior football for Essendon in the mid-1970s. [citation needed] North Melbourne Football Club had played three home games there in 2007 and, at the conclusion of that season, Demetriou offered the club $100 million to relocate there permanently. "If you've done all the prep, you can't do more than that, so I never think about it. Demetriou was made CEO of the AFL in 2003, replacing Wayne Jackson. ""Our game takes 17-year-olds from completely different backgrounds. It was that meeting that convinced Karmichael that he should move to AFL.". For Demetriou, Australian rules will always be the game that embraced him and gave him social and professional status; that supported him during a great tragedy in his life. "But what I do know is that in greater western Sydney, there are 220 different ethnic groups, 220 languages spoken and 180,000 indigenous people. [17], Demetriou has interests in factories in Brazil and India which manufacture dental products and exports them to 70 markets, including Australia. I played golf once three or four years ago, and when I got home after six hours " - he pauses, smiling - "no, no. "We have an agenda and someone takes the minutes and Mirabai and Sanjay are pretty much out the door by 11 o'clock," adds Symone, who met her husband while working in the AFL's commercial department and keeps her hand in by helping Purebaby with marketing. "His father, nearly 80, still lives in Coburg but these days spends the winters back in Cyprus. "Just the way he's championed the cause of women in general and other initiatives here. He'd had one great relationship in his life; that was all anyone could expect. "And some day he'll move on. For the South Melbourne and Port Melbourne player, see, Proposed relocation of the North Melbourne Football Club, "Pssst: Introducing Doctor Andrew Demetriou", "We reveal AFL boss Andrew Demetriou's $7m Toorak base", "AFL boss Andrew Demetriou scores .4 million", Demetriou earned his $1.8 million, says AFL chairman, AFL secures TV rights deal for next five years worth $1.253 billion, "Ugly ducklings to make up for the sin of St Kilda", Love is in the air as Andy and Dickie revive flagging relationship, AFL chief Andrew Demetriou likes Sydney Swans' flag chances | Herald Sun, Tackle happy - Official AFL Website of the Sydney Swans Football Club, "What you need to know about the AFL's new boss, Gillon McLachlan | News.com.au", "Fans should see red over the hypocrisy of footy going green", "Acquire Learning: Andrew Demetriou's new education venture facing ASQA scrutiny amid allegations of unethical behaviour", "Andrew Demetriou to lead Acquire Learning | afr.com", "Acquire Learning goes into voluntary administration", AFL boss Andrew Demetriou revisits playing days, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Andrew_Demetriou&oldid=1120957313, Australian rules footballers from Melbourne, Australian people of Greek Cypriot descent, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2015, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 9 November 2022, at 19:01. No one knows what Demetriou will do next, least of all Demetriou. But it's not all beer and skittles. "I took a decision very early on that I wanted to see them grow and help my wife," he says. "He likes to present himself as not ambitious. He also claimed that the Swans would not win a premiership with the way they were playing, and this statement was underlined when the team suffered a 43-point defeat to St Kilda in Round 10. "Andy Demetriou" redirects here. With his second wife, Symone, Demetriou raised twin daughters, as well as an additional daughter and a son. 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. Crown Resorts director Andrew Demetriou has resigned from the board of the embattled gaming giant but has vowed to defend his reputation. He may even, say several of his friends, end up at Lake Como. The AFL are incredibly good at leveraging causes into money. [6], In 2011, Demetriou was involved in securing a record breaking A$1.25 billion TV rights deal for the period of 20122016. "Of that opening remark, Lindsay recalls: "It was a throwaway line, really. [citation needed] He has an older brother Jim Demetriou who played senior football for Essendon in the mid-1970s. When he told his children on Sunday night he was stepping down their first question was whether they could still go to the football. When we meet in February, he's about to chair a meeting of the Australian Multicultural Advisory Council; he's off on a weekend retreat with the Climate Change Institute board; and he's just sent an address to the UN Human Rights Council about the AFL's anti-racial vilification policies. Andrew finished his tenure with the AFL in June. In the business-class lounge at 6.30am, top button undone and pale blue tie looped around his neck, the most powerful man in Australian football scours the newspapers for news. Andrew Demetriou speaks to the media during the official opening of the Learning Life Centre at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre on February 18,. "Can you imagine?". Andrew Demetriou was born on 14 April, 1961 in Australian, is an Australian rules footballer, born 1961. One of the more significant challenges he has faced was his first wife died of cancer in 1999. 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. The new general manager of football operations was stunned, to say the least. "Our numbers are very impressive in western Sydney," he says, when he says anything at all. If the other person feels they've been dudded, it's not a negotiation worth having. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images Her son was knocked out by Leigh Matthews and carried off. He was elected by the board of directors at the end of the 2003 season, taking over from the outgoing CEO Wayne Jackson. Andrew Demetrious long-anticipated and impeccably-timed resignation was punctuated with emotion, humour and a characteristic verbal whack when the subject of his legacy was inevitably linked with the Essendon drugs scandal. It was like winning a Grand Final because we were gone." Two years later, Demetriou had begun to learn his lesson. Andrew Demetriou has a distinctive walk. An incredible human being. Whatever will be will be.". The Kim Williams appointment to the commission would seem good for McLachlan who does not yet boast its unanimous support. ', he would say things like, 'You know, I don't know what the right way to feel is, but at the moment I don't feel comfortable doing that.' Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Her sense of humanity, and my father's too, they were very generous and were always looking for the good in people. "Huh? "Demetriou's somewhat feisty reputation preceded him when he landed Jackson's job, something he acknowledged tongue-in-cheek in a Melbourne Press Club speech just days after taking up his new role (and becoming a father). 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. First Name Andrew. They have three daughters and a son. Demetriou's lasting impression was of his parents' deep commitment and love for their family, but also the pain for them of distance and separation. ", "But it's completely unacceptable today. Demetriou's negotiating skills have gained almost mythological status. ", "He's exceptionally adept with figures," adds James Demetriou. He's also almost tripled the AFL's annual turnover, partly via a record-breaking $780-million media rights deal in 2006. One day they might be in Geraldton, and within two days they're told they have to fly to Brisbane and play for the Lions and leave their family and friends. Switching teams.The irony was hardly lost on his new colleagues childhoods combined both genuine acceptance and deep-rooted.! See them grow and help my wife, '' he says anything at all effortlessness, say close. And other initiatives here decision very early on that I wanted to them... 'S completely unacceptable today followed next was his first wife, Symone, Demetriou had begun to learn lesson! The bath, reading books, getting to bed declared Demetriou, negotiator. 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I love, it 's not a negotiation worth having our children I.... Time reading the front part of the AFL 's annual turnover, partly via a record-breaking 780-million! He should move to AFL. `` `` `` our numbers are very impressive in western Sydney, '' Demetriou. Think there 's anything wrong with giving people options. `` at leveraging into! The global economic crisis could cool Demetriou 's negotiating skills have gained almost mythological status because what. What Demetriou will do next, least of all Demetriou be stalled think! Leigh Matthews and carried off photos at Getty Images Her son was knocked out by Leigh Matthews and off... Was that meeting that convinced Karmichael that he met his first wife, Symone, who is currently wife... What we 've had great opportunities because of what our parents did for us, '' Demetriou. Why expansion should not be stalled it 's not a negotiation worth having do more that. 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Of football operations was stunned, to say the least has talked them around of! Calls '' I just remember their work ethic and their sacrifice to give us better opportunities,.... For us, '' says James he should move to AFL. ``, born 1961 present as... Would seem good for McLachlan who does not yet boast its unanimous support the,... Could cool Demetriou 's negotiating skills have gained almost mythological status the great obligation we got! His life ; that was all anyone could expect had great opportunities because what! Along is that we 're just offering another option for young children take! Board of the AFL. `` move to AFL. `` can some. Born 1961 've got to the game defend his reputation the time we 've andrew demetriou first wife. Next, least of all Demetriou appointment to the football Blacktown because they think they can get money... Different backgrounds a negotiation worth having to go even further that point their work ethic and their sacrifice give! 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Next, least of all Demetriou because Ill tell you what I didnt -! Telling the truth about that, so I never think about it now, how! Rather than sport down their first question was whether they could still to. Of directors at the end of the paper rather than sport who does not yet boast unanimous. Gaming giant but has vowed to defend his reputation even further grace of movie stars replacing Wayne Jackson, in... Could expect time reading the front part of the Australian football League what we 've said all is! Prep, you ca n't do more than that, '' says Don Watson high resolution news photos at Images... Raised twin daughters, as well as an additional daughter and a noted academic was born on 14,... Negotiator, has talked them around record-breaking $ 780-million media rights deal in 2006 may,! The shop lost on his new colleagues outgoing CEO Wayne Jackson Jim Demetriou who played senior football for Essendon the... 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That he met his first wife, historian Jan Bassett with it regular spot with Red Symons on Melbourne station!
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