Who is Raghu Iyer? The new IOA CEO whose appointment led to rift between PT Usha and EC Members

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The appointment of Raghu Iyer as the new CEO of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has sparked tension between President PT Usha and members of the executive committee (EC).

The disagreement, which became public on Thursday, September 26, centred around Iyer’s high salary package, leading to a heated standoff during a recent meeting. While the rift is only growing bigger, let's find out more about Raghu Iyer, who holds an impressive track record in his field.

Work Profile: A Background in Sports Management

Raghu Iyer is a seasoned sports management professional with an extensive career that caught the attention of the IOA. He has a wealth of experience in leadership roles, making him a top candidate for the CEO position. Iyer has worked in various high-profile sports organisations, helping turn struggling franchises into profitable entities.

How He Was Hired: A Proven Track Record

The IOA’s hiring criteria demanded a candidate with at least 10 years' experience in a CEO role, managing operations with a turnover of ₹25,000 crore. Iyer fit this description perfectly, having started his career in sports management as the CEO of Rajasthan Royals in 2007. He played a pivotal role in making the franchise one of the few profitable IPL teams, alongside Kolkata Knight Riders.

Before entering the sports world, Raghu Iyer worked in the entertainment industry, holding key positions at Discovery Channel and Sony Pictures Entertainment. His career trajectory took a major leap when he joined the RP-Sanjiv Goenka (RPSG) Group as CEO in 2018, overseeing its IPL team, Lucknow Super Giants (formerly Rising Pune Supergiant).

Iyer’s Achievements: A History of Success

Iyer's career is filled with accolades. After his IPL success, he expanded his influence to other sports, becoming the head of ISL side ATK Mohun Bagan and the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) franchise RPSG Mavericks. Under his leadership, these teams became formidable contenders in their respective leagues, while keeping a check on overspending.

For his contributions to sports, Iyer has received the Indian Sports Honours and Indian Cricket Heroes awards.

Salary Controversy: The Root of the Rift

Despite his credentials, the high salary offered to Iyer has become a point of contention within the IOA. While the details of his salary package have not been disclosed, sources suggest that it is Rs 20 lakh per month and this is one of the major issues causing the rift between PT Usha and the EC members.

The Future of Raghu Iyer at IOA

Iyer ended his association with RPSG in 2022, taking a brief sabbatical before being appointed as the CEO of IOA in February 2024. However, his appointment remains in limbo due to ongoing disagreements between PT Usha and the EC members.

Despite the turmoil, Indian sports enthusiasts are hopeful that the issues will be resolved soon, allowing Raghu Iyer to bring his track record of success and innovation to the Indian Olympic Association.