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Premier League widen CEO search

The Premier League have not found it easy to find a new chief executive after Richard Scudamore retired last November after 19 years in the post. The first two choices, both media executives, turned down the job.

Head hunters Spencer Stuart have been replaced by Russell Reynolds who are looking beyond TV executives to candidates with experience in big business. General management skills have become more important. Scudamore's great achievement was the mega bucks TV deals, but in a sense they are up and running and domestically actually in decline, although that is offset by increased overseas earnings.

The TV rights are crucial to the league's business model, but there is confidence that current league executives such as Paul Mohair, director of broadcasting, can be relied on to run the broadcasting deals process.

Head hunters are also said to be seeking a 'politician' type who can broker deals with regulators in the UK and Europe. This follows increasing criticism of the Premier League's riches in contrast to recent financial failures in the EFL. It is, of course, a moot point how far successful businesses should subsidise failing ones, but the current consensus is that the trickle down effect is not enough.

The Premier League is seriously considering US candidates with no UK broadcasting experience which would be consistent with the globalisation of the game.

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