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Andrew Demetriou (born 14 April 1961) is an Australian businessman, sports administrator, and former Australian rules football player who was chief executive officer (CEO) of the Australian Football League (AFL) up to June 2014. Demetriou played 103 games for the North Melbourne Football Club between 1981 and 1987, finishing his playing career with a three-game stint for in 1988. Chairing several companies after his retirement from playing, he was appointed CEO of the AFL Players Association in 1998, and was responsible for negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players. Demetriou was made CEO of the AFL in 2003, replacing Wayne Jackson. In his role as head of the AFL Commission, he was responsible for a number of changes, including the expansion of the league from 16 to 18 teams, the restructuring of the AFL Tribunal, and the brokering of two new television rights deals.
He was educated at La Trobe University, where he completed a Bachelor of Arts in 1983 and a Diploma of Education in 1984. He was awarded the University's Distinguished Alumni Award in 2009 and a Doctor of Letters (honoris causa) in 2015 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to sport management and to Australian society through his leadership and support of important social issues, and currently serves as an adjunct professor.
Before becoming a VFL player, he worked in the dental import industry.
He had a brief move to Hawthorn in 1988, but played only three games and kicked one goal.
Demetriou was later appointed as AFL general manager of football operations, holding the position from May 2000 to September 2003.
Demetriou is best known for his position as CEO of the Australian Football League. He was elected by the board of directors at the end of the 2003 season, taking over from the outgoing CEO Wayne Jackson.
In 2008, Demetriou earned an annual salary of $1.4 million, making him the highest paid administrator or player then employed by the AFL.
Demetriou oversaw the league's continued national expansion with the admission of the New South Wales based Greater Western Sydney Giants and Queensland based Gold Coast Suns with a "20 to 30 years" vision for them to become "powerhouse club"s in terms of drawing support from large population bases. Former AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou tips GWS Giants to be ‘much bigger’ than Gold Coast Suns by Marc McGowan 23 March 2022
In 2009, Demetriou earned $1.8 million for his role at the AFL. Demetriou earned his $1.8 million, says AFL chairman, The Roar, Retrieved on 18 March 2010.
In 2011, Demetriou was involved in securing a record breaking A$1.25 billion TV rights deal for the period of 2012–2016. The deal included unprecedented live TV coverage of the AFL competition in all states of Australia through free-to-air, subscription and IP television. AFL secures TV rights deal for next five years worth $1.253 billion, Herald Sun, 28 April 2011
Seven years later, Demetriou praised the Swans for their new attacking style of play under second-year coach John Longmire and rated them as serious contenders for the premiership. AFL chief Andrew Demetriou likes Sydney Swans' flag chances | Herald Sun Sydney won the 2012 premiership implementing a style of relentless tackling and attacking play. Tackle happy - Official AFL Website of the Sydney Swans Football Club
In April 2014, it was announced that Gillon McLachlan, Demetriou's then deputy, would be his successor. Andrew finished his tenure with the AFL in June.
Demetriou had a regular spot with Red Symons on Melbourne radio station ABC 774. During the 2013 Finals Series he also co-hosted Talking Footy for the Seven Network.
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Demetriou in 2018 became a director of Crown Resorts. In 2021, Demetriou resigned after Crown was found by Commissioner Patricia Bergin on behalf of the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority not to be suitable to hold a gaming licence in New South Wales and specifically found that Demetriou was someone who Crown "would be justified in lacking confidence in", calling his evidence to the inquiry "bizarre" and "unimpressive"
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Demetriou in 2022 became an advisor to gambling company Betr, which is owned by YouTube personality
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