Canberra FM Radio general manager Eoghan O'Byrne has emerged as one of the leading candidates to be the ACT Brumbies' new chief executive as the Super Rugby club edges closer to finding a boss.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It's understood the Brumbies are continuing negotiations to appoint a permanent chief executive and the board will meet on Wednesday night.
O'Byrne looms as the likely candidate to take over, but the Brumbies board will not be rushed and no deal has been finalised as they operate with an interim chief executive.
O'Byrne oversees MIX 106.3 and FM 104.7 and has been on the Brumbies' radar since the start of the year when the club opened applications for the job.
He could be appointed as early as this week but there is no timeframe on a final decision.
Former Brumbies boss Andrew Fagan quit the last 12 months of his contract and finished his 10-year tenure in December.
In his absence, board member Doug Edwards stepped in as interim chief executive at the start of the Super Rugby season in February.
"We don't have a contract with anyone, we have an interim chief executive and it's premature to make any comment either way," Brumbies chairman Sean Hammond said.
The board could also opt to extend Edwards' interim tenure.
The biggest delay in finding a chief executive was the Australian Rugby Union's plan to merge the NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds and Western Force's operations.
The Brumbies did not want to be part of the merger, but if the ARU's proposal was successful the role of club chief executive could have been made redundant.
But the proposed "Rugby Australia" structure was shut down by the teams and the Brumbies will continue to operate independently.
The Brumbies are also getting closer to moving into their new $15 million headquarters at the University of Canberra.
The Brumbies have been temporarily based at the Australian Institute of Sport this season, but moving away from their traditional Griffith base has caused minimal disruption with the team winning four of its first six games to start the Super Rugby season.
The Brumbies are expected to permanently move to the university in May when the players are in South Africa to play games against the Free State Cheetahs and Pretoria Bulls.
Edwards has been working with Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham to ramp up player contract negotiations.
The Brumbies have several players off contract at the end of the season, including Wallabies Matt Toomua, Christian Lealiifano, Nic White and Scott Fardy.
