Anthony De Ceglie steps down as Perth Bears CEO

Former Seven News chief Anthony De Ceglie has stepped down as inaugural CEO of the Perth Bears, ahead of the club’s entry into the NRL in 2027.

The club announced his departure on Friday 9 October, with general manager of football Gareth Holmes to assume CEO responsibilities on an interim basis. The statement did not give a reason for De Ceglie’s decision. 

De Ceglie was appointed in May 2025 after leaving Seven West Media, where he had spent a year as director of news and current affairs and editor-in-chief. He led the Bears through their establishment and start-up phase. 

“I'm extremely proud of what the hard-working Perth Bears team has achieved in the past year,” De Ceglie said.

“I have no doubt that the Perth Bears will continue to grow and grow, and become a behemoth of the national sporting stage”.

READ MORE: Anthony De Ceglie to depart Seven after just a year at the helm of 7NEWS

A year overseeing Seven News

De Ceglie relocated to Sydney to lead Seven’s news operations, overseeing 7NEWS, Sunrise, The Morning Show, 7NEWS Spotlight and 7NEWS.com.au.

During his tenure, he restructured the newsroom and established a centralised National News Desk. He also introduced horoscope readings into the 6pm bulletin and a weekly Friday satire segment, which was subsequently dropped. Mediaweek

Before taking the national television role, De Ceglie had been editor-in-chief of The West Australian and launch editor of The Nightly. Ray Kuka succeeded him at Seven in May 2025. www.mediaweek.com.au

De Ceglie thanks staff and supporters

In his departure statement, De Ceglie praised the Bears’ executive team, staff and coaching leadership.

“The Perth Bears have a professional and dedicated executive leadership team supported by a very talented group of committed staff. Head Coach Mal Meninga and Assistant Coach Ben Gardiner are in exceptional hands. Working alongside both of them over the past year has been one of the greatest highlights of my professional life.

“I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity and would like to thank ARLC executive chairman Peter V'landys, whom I have the utmost respect for as an administrator, businessman and human.”

He also thanked the club’s commercial partners, affiliates, board and supporters in Western Australia and North Sydney.

Holmes takes interim responsibilities

Perth Bears chair Ben Morton thanked De Ceglie and said the club would turn its attention to its next leadership arrangements.

“I thank Anthony for his leadership of the Perth Bears in our start-up phase, and we will now turn our attention to the leadership of our organisation as we enter the next phase of our story,” Morton said.

“Under Anthony’s leadership, in our start-up phase the Perth Bears have secured record commercial partnership agreements, launched our merchandise range, successfully welcomed more than 20,000 people as our Foundation Members, progressed key infrastructure programs and most importantly recruited what will be a competitive on-field team.”

The Bears said they would make further statements on future CEO arrangements in the coming days.