Parramatta Eels Chief Executive Jim Sarantinos to Step Down at Conclusion of 2026 Season

The Parramatta Eels have announced that chief executive officer, Jim Sarantinos, will step down from his position at the conclusion of the 2026 NRL season, concluding more than a decade of executive service with the club.

Having joined the organisation in 2016 and served as CEO for the past seven years, Sarantinos spearheaded a transformation that repositioned the Eels as a commercial powerhouse in the National Rugby League.

Under his stewardship, the club achieved record membership growth, tripled its commercial revenue, established the Eels Foundation and Eels Institute, delivered a world-class Centre of Excellence, and returned to the NRL Grand Final stage in 2022. This financial stability enabled significant investment across the club’s men’s, women’s, and Eels Academy football programs while embedding a strong corporate culture built on integrity and community engagement.

Reflecting on his decade-long tenure, Sarantinos highlighted the shared achievements and strong foundations established during his leadership.

“After 10 years with the Parramatta Eels National Rugby League Club, I have decided to step down as CEO at the end of this season.”

“The Eels have meant so much to me, both professionally and personally, and I will move on incredibly proud that I leave the Club in a better place than how I found it.

“Since joining the Club in 2016, we have strengthened its foundations, returned to the NRL Grand Final in 2022, achieved record membership, tripled commercial revenue, invested significantly in our football and community programs, and delivered a world-class Centre of Excellence.

“But the part I will be most proud of is the people and culture we have built along the way.”

“I am incredibly grateful to our Boards, staff, players, coaches, volunteers, partners, members and fans for their support, friendship and belief over the past decade.

“The Eels will always be a very special part of my life. I am proud to have played a part in its journey and excited to watch its next chapter unfold.

“And while closing this chapter is difficult, I am genuinely excited about what the next chapter of my own career holds.

“I look forward to taking everything I have learnt over the past 10 years into whatever comes next.

“Thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey,” he said.

The Eels Board acknowledged Sarantinos’ impact in stabilising and modernising the franchise following a turbulent era in the mid-2010s.

Sarantinos will remain fully committed to his operational responsibilities through the remainder of the 2026 campaign while the Board conducts a thorough search for the club’s next Chief Executive Officer.

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