Collingwood premiership player and influential player agent Craig Kelly is reportedly the favourite to become the Pies’ new CEO.
The Age reports Kelly, who leads talent and sports marketing agency TLA, would become available to take up the Collingwood position in 2023.
If appointed, Kelly would fill the void left by Mark Anderson, who quit as CEO earlier in November after nearly five years at the helm.
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Kelly is currently on long service leave and is yet to quit the company, which he founded and which was acquired by QMS Sport in 2019 for $32.7 million.
In addition to managing more than 300 AFL players, TLA also manages many of the game’s top coaches, including former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley as well as twins Chris and Brad Scott.
TLA also manages Buckley’s replacement Craig McRae, assistant coaches Justin Leppitsch and Brendon Bolton along with players Brayden Maynard, Jamie Elliot and Kelly’s son Will.
Kelly’s other son, Jake, plays for Essendon.
He played in the 1990 premiership alongside Graham Wright, who is Collingwood’s head of football and acting CEO.
