Susanna Dinnage, a senior executive at US TV network Discovery, is to be the new chief executive of the Premier League. She heads the Animal Planet channel.
She faces the challenge of more people switching to watch sport online. Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck who headed the appointment panel told the Financial Times, 'Susanna was the outstanding choice, given her track record in managing complex businesses through transformation and digital disruption.'
However, perhaps her greatest strength is her network of connections in government. She was the only representative of the creative industries at the first two gatherings of UK business leaders at Chevening when then Brexit secretary David Davies discussed concerns about the negotiations.
With its mind on other things, and a turnover of sports ministers, the May Government has largely left football to its own devices. However, a future Labour Government would make a number of interventions, including in relation to the gambling industry which is perceived by Corbyn supporters to have an unhealthy symbiotic relationship with football.
Meanwhile, controversy has been caused by a proposed 'golden goodbye' for outgoing chief executive Richard Scudamore. Each club has been asked to divi up £250,000 for a farewell bonus which is not in any contract. Mr Scudamore is said to receive annual payments of around £2.5m. Kieran Maguire of the PriceofFootball cheekily suggested that a Just Giving page might be set up to held Scudamore in his hour of need.
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