Demetriou, Andrew (1961-…), was one of Australia’s most powerful and successful sports administrators. Demetriou served as Chief Executive Officer for the Australian Football League (AFL) from 2003 to 2014. Under his leadership, the league expanded from 16 to 18 teams, and attendance at AFL games increased dramatically. He also negotiated record-breaking television contracts for the league in 2005 and 2011.
Demetriou was born on April 14, 1961, in Melbourne, the son of immigrants from Cyprus. He played wingman for North Melbourne of the Victorian Football League (now the AFL) from 1981 to 1987 and ended his playing career with Hawthorn in 1988. In Australian Rules football, a wingman is a center line player who alternates between being a defender and a forward. For a discussion of Australian Rules football positions and formations, see Australian Rules football (Playing football). Demetriou began a business career in 1986 and spent several years as a managing director of Dentex, a company that imported dental products.
Demetriou served as Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Football League Players Association (AFLPA) from 1998 to 2000. In that position, he negotiated a major new contract between the players and the league. Demetriou left the AFLPA in 2000 to become general manager of football operations for the AFL. In 2014, after leaving the AFL, Demetriou joined the board of directors of a sports marketing company.
