National Rugby League side Penrith is searching for its third CEO in a year "after Corey Payne left the NRL club role after just four months in charge," according to Steve Zemek of the AAP. Penrith on Tuesday released a statement saying Payne "had resigned and was pursuing an overseas business opportunity." Payne became the youngest club CEO in NRL history at 32 "and was expected to be groomed as a successor" to GM Phil Gould when signed. Payne was reportedly "being pushed out by the club's board after butting heads with several people in the football department -- claims denied by the club." He took up the position in April following the departure of Justin Pascoe to the Wests Tigers CEO role in September (AAP, 8/16). In Sydney, Margie McDonald reported "it seems one of the candidates most suited to the role," Brisbane Broncos CEO Paul White, "has slipped through the Panthers' grasp." White signed a new three-year deal with the Broncos earlier this year "and is extremely happy and settled in Brisbane." White declined to comment when contacted on Tuesday. Panthers directors "will need to decide if current group CEO Brian Fletcher takes up the reins of the football club more permanently," as Warren Wilson did for four years, or appoint a new CEO (THE AUSTRALIAN, 8/17).
