MELBOURNEfc is delighted to announce the appointment of Paul McNamee to the position of chief executive officer.

MELBOURNEfc chairman Paul Gardner said, “This is an exciting appointment for the Melbourne Football Club in its 150th year.

“Paul brings with him a wealth of experience in the sports marketing and management industry.

“Paul has a track record of 20 years of successfully creating partnerships, and a reputation for building strong, effective teams.”

McNamee was the chief executive of the Australian Open Tennis Championships from 1999 through to 2006, before being appointed to the Australian Open Golf Championships as the executive chairman.

McNamee has been the Tournament Director of the Hopman Cup since 1988.

Paul McNamee said, “It's an enormous and exciting challenge.

“I’m excited about the role at MELBOURNEfc and believe there is a lot of potential for growth and success.

“The organisation possesses a great heritage and will be a platform for an exciting future.

“I look forward to starting with the Club.”

McNamee was ranked number one in the world in 1981 (ATP doubles rankings), a member of the successful Australian Davis Cup teams in 1983 and 1986, and was also a winner of Wimbledon Doubles and the Australian Doubles championships, both on two occasions.

McNamee received an Order of Australia (AM) in 1989.

In what is one of the biggest recruiting coups for the year, McNamee will officially start with MELBOURNEfc on April 7.