Footy supremo Peter V’landys has debuted a new look at the NRL’s season-opening double-header in Las Vegas – and fans have reacted by accusing him of getting a badly botched hair dye job.
The Australian Rugby League Commission chairman’s appearance with the Fox Sports panel on the sidelines at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday left many footy supporters stunned.
V’landys’ hair appeared to be a noticeably darker shade than normal as he spoke to Fox’s Braith Anasta and Yvonne Sampson in the lead-up to the Bulldogs vs Dragons match.
The new look spurred several fans to reveal their shock online.
‘Aww PVL, time to put down the hair dye darl,’ one wrote on X.
‘Peter V’landys with one of the all-time hair dye botch jobs in rugby league,’ another added.
Pictured: Peter V’landys during his appearance on Fox Sports at the NRL double-header in Las Vegas, which left fans convinced he’s had a botched hair-dye job
The footy supremo’s new look in Vegas is a big departure from the hairstyle fans have grown used to (pictured in 2024)
Pictured: A sample of the way fans reacted to PVL’s appearance on Sunday in Sin City
‘Next expansion into Turkey so Pete can get his hair fixed. WTF,’ wrote a third.
‘Wait a minute….everyone shut the f**k up! PVL’s hair….. What in the f**k! I think its plugs and a dye job that’s way too dark,’ another fan said.
V’landys’ new look wasn’t restricted to his hairdo, though.
The sporting administrator has also dropped 12kg in the offseason, according to a report.
V’landys had ‘run out of clothes that fit him’ after dropping four pant sizes, and had to do ‘an emergency shopping run’ to refresh his wardrobe when he arrived in Vegas, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
The footy supremo – who is also the CEO of Racing NSW – dropped the kilos by exercising, adopting a new diet that focuses on protein, and by not eating before lunchtime.
‘I used to get my exercise by dusting off my gym equipment at home,’ V’landys said.
‘I figure I get better results if I actually use it.
V’landys’ hair isn’t the only thing he’s changed lately. As this photo taken on February 22 shows, he has also dropped a lot of weight after picking up new diet and exercise habits
Manly coach Anthony Seibold (right) has also undergone an eye-catching physical transformation in the NRL offseason
‘I feel good. And if I can do it, anyone can do it.’
V’landys isn’t the only powerful rugby league figure to undergo a physical transformation in the lead-up to the new season.
Manly coach Anthony Seibold revealed the impressive results of his efforts to drop weight when he appeared on camera before his side’s preseason clash with Souths on February 22.
V’landys also confirmed that the NRL has a three-year plan in place for its efforts to expand into other countries.
The game’s boss also declared that Las Vegas would stay on the calendar beyond the end of the current deal in 2028, labelling it the league’s anchor event.
He also made no secret of the fact he plans for the concept to grow, and the NRL is known to be particularly keen on taking a game to London as soon as next year, in what would loom as the league’s next overseas destination.
Miami, Hong Kong, Tokyo and the UAE then loom as other likely options, with the idea of playing NRL double-headers alongside a Super League fixture in each city.
‘We’re going to ease our way into it. We are going to have a three-year plan to have at least four [cities],’ V’landys said.
‘We are working on it now. We’re doing all the business cases so in the next three months we will know.’
