The Rugby Football League (RFL) body has finally found a new chief executive, with experienced sports executive Ian Nolan taking up the role after a months-long search.
Nolan joins from the Science in Sport Group, a producer of sports-focused supplements and nutritional products, where he had been chief marketing officer since October 2025.
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Prior to that, he spent seven years at English soccer giants Manchester United, where he oversaw the club’s global media network, overseeing “record reach, engagement, and revenues."
Nolan’s 20-plus year career in the industry has also included stints at tech firm Yahoo as director of Yahoo Sports (2008 to 2016), and head of digital at the Motorsport network (2017 to 2018), among other positions.
In his new role, Nolan replaces previous RLC chief executive Tony Sutton, who stepped down in September 2025 after three years in the role.
A pair of interims had overseen the body since Sutton’s departure. First Abi Ekoku, who became chief executive of club St Helens in April, and then Rhodri Jones, the managing director of RL Commercial (the RLC’s commercial joint venture with sports agency IMG).
Jones will continue in the interim role of chief executive until October 1, at which point Nolan will take over.
Speaking on the announcement, RFL chair Nigel Wood said: “Ian’s skillset and vast experience in the global, digital market, including an influential seven years at Manchester United, will complement what we already have within the RFL.
“With his fresh ideas and dynamism, this appointment is the most significant as we continue to turn around the sport’s fortunes and put revenues back onto an upward trajectory after the past few years.
“Ian's appointment is the first step in a bold and ambitious new strategy; he has a wealth of experience in the growth and commercialisation of sports, media and sports rights, plus an impressive track record of leveraging digital, social and modern media platforms to accelerate growth into global markets.”
Wood, formerly the RFL chief executive himself, was only named as chair of the governing body back in March, having been also appointed as chair of the RL Commercial arm in June 2025.
