UK government faces inquiry into appointment of new independent football regulator chair

New York Times

2 days ago

The UK government faces a 'full inquiry' into the handling of its proposed appointment of the new chairman of the independent football regulator, David Kogan.
Focus will fall on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), which received an email addressed to Permanent Secretary, Susannah Storey last Thursday (May 29) from the Commissioner for Public Appointments, William Shawcross, who is likely to interview both Kogan and the secretary of state, Lisa Nandy, during his investigations.
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Shawcross decided to proceed with an inquiry after initial 'spot checks' raised unspecified concerns about the process.
Kogan, 67, was not on the initial three-person shortlist for the role but was recommended by Nandy after more than two decades negotiating TV rights sales on behalf of the Premier League, English Football League (EFL) and Women's Super League.
Nandy named Kogan as her choice to chair the regulator in April and on May 9 he was revealed as the preferred candidate, with a report from the DCMS 'recognising his vast experience in the football and media sectors'.
Shawcross, 79, was appointed to his role in 2021 following a long career in broadcasting and writing, which included a biography of media magnate Rupert Murdoch. It is his responsibility to provide independent assurance that public hires are made in accordance with a governance code that include principles such as integrity, merit, openness, diversity and fairness.
Once the inquiry has been completed, Shawcross will advise whether the appointment process has followed certain guidelines. He does not have the power to decide what happens next but his findings will influence the credibility of any government decision about how it proceeds.
A DCMS spokesperson said: 'We have received the letter from the Commissioner for Public Appointments and we look forward to co-operating fully with his office. The appointment is in the process of being ratified in the usual way.'
Kogan started his career as a journalist and set up a media advisory company called Reel Enterprises in 1997, and this became the go-to advisor for any league or governing body trying to maximise the value of its broadcast rights.
He sold Reel Enterprises to media company Wasserman in 2011 but has continued to work with clients including the English Football League, International Olympic Committee, Premier League and the NFL on their rights auctions, as well as advising companies such as CNN and the New York Times on their digital strategies.
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Since 2022, Kogan has made nine donations to Labour candidates and the party itself, totalling more than £33,000. He has also written two books about the party's history.
Kogan also applied for the role of independent football regulator chair in 2024 when the Conservative government attempted to get its version of the Football Governance Bill through parliament. However, Rishi Sunak called an election in the summer and the Conservatives ran out of time to pass the legislation while in office.
A fan-led review called for the introduction of a regulator in November 2021 in the wake of the failed European Super League proposals, and the government announced plans to create one in February 2023.
It will be tasked with ensuring the financial stability and sustainability of professional football in England, and will be independent from the government and football authorities.