NRL chief executive Dave Smith has quit after three years at the helm.
Smith was expected to inform staff of his decision on Tuesday morning and a media conference has been called for 11am at Rugby League Central.
NRL commission chairman John Grant is set to take over as interim CEO.
Smith’s exit was linked to a breakdown in negotiations over the NRL’s lucrative broadcast rights and also a rocky relationship with NRL clubs.
The NRL commission was set to launch an international search to find Smith’s successor ahead of the 2016 season.
A former banker, Smith replaced long-standing CEO David Gallop before the 2013 season.
Earlier this year he came under fire for his handling of broadcast negotiations when he signed a few free-to-air TV deal with Channel Nine before an agreement was reached over the pay-TV rights.