John Quayle (rugby league)

John Quayle was an Australian rugby league administrator. He is best known for his role as the general manager of the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) and later the Australian Rugby League (ARL) during a period of significant growth and upheaval in the sport.

Quayle served as general manager from 1988 to 1995, overseeing the expansion of the Winfield Cup (later the ARL Premiership) and the rise in popularity of rugby league in Australia. He was instrumental in negotiating lucrative television rights deals, which significantly boosted the financial position of the league.

However, his tenure is also associated with the Super League war, a period of intense conflict between the ARL and News Corporation's Super League competition. Quayle staunchly defended the ARL's traditional club structure against the breakaway Super League, leading to protracted legal battles and a divided rugby league community. He left his role in 1995, prior to the 1997 Super League season.

After leaving the ARL, Quayle pursued business interests outside of rugby league. His contribution to the sport is viewed as complex, acknowledged for his commercial acumen in growing the league but also criticised for his handling of the Super League crisis.