The Perth Bears' inaugural squad begins pre-season next month, and chief executive Anthony De Ceglie's resignation leaves the club facing a leadership vacancy.
NRL boss Peter V'landys appointed De Ceglie in May 2025, despite his media background and limited sports-administration experience.
Friction between senior club and board figures had grown, and Code Sports reported last Tuesday that De Ceglie had been given 'three months to save his job' after losing board support.
The Australian Rugby League Commission owns the Bears and makes key appointments, so the board could not sack him. De Ceglie chose to resign.
Days earlier, head coach Mal Meninga had said on Fox Sports, 'It's been an ongoing battle, it's him and I around who's going to get sacked next.'
The departure comes as V'landys faces criticism over last weekend's grand final entertainment and New Zealand Rugby's High Court action to stop the NRL using the 'Chiefs' name for its other new franchise.
A clean break could end a boardroom standoff before it stretches through pre-season and into 2027, while giving the ARLC a chance to appoint someone with sports-administration experience, ideally in rugby league.
However, the Bears need leadership as they prepare to build momentum, and the sudden vacancy may raise stability concerns among fans and sponsors.
Head of football David Sharpe also left in April, while Meninga needs a steady partner to build a team and culture from scratch.
A strong appointment could reset the club, but a drawn-out search or another faltering hire could deepen perceptions of chaos before the Bears play a game.