Founding administrator JJ Giltinan, commentator Ray Warren and journalist Peter Frilingos will become the first non-players inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame.
The trio will officially join the elite group of 113 former players at an induction dinner on Wednesday night.
Their elevation comes after the NRL this year opened the door for administrators and contributors to be eligible for membership.
“This is a very special induction – the first members of the class who are contributors,” said NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg.
“That speaks for the calibre of not only the nominations but obviously those who were chosen. They will always be the first of our contributors to be inducted.
“Without them, the game would look, feel and sound very different. Each of them had extraordinary influence on the game.”
The trio will be inducted alongside former players Stacey Jones, Danny Buderus, Ruben Wiki and Craig Young.
Next year’s intake can include coaches and referees for the first time.
Giltinan was considered one of the driving forces behind the formation of the NSW Rugby League in 1907, a forerunner to the current NRL competition.
He organised breakaway matches from rugby union for stars including Dally Messenger.
Giltinan was also behind the first Kangaroos tour to Great Britain, and is still recognised with the NRL minor premiership shield named in his honour.
Warren is regarded as the voice of rugby league, having first called the game on TV in 1974.
He is by far the most prolific caller of State of Origin, with the 76-year-old having been the main commentator for Channel Nine since they secured rights for the interstate series in 1992.
Frilingos was The Daily Telegraph’s chief rugby league writer from 1980 until his death in 2004.
He covered 40 grand finals for the publication between 1964 and 2003.