November 14 – Broadcasting executive Susanna Dinnage has been named as the new chief executive of the English Premier League making her arguably most powerful woman in world professional sport.
Dinnage will leave her role as global president of Discovery’s Animal Planet early next year to succeed Richard Scudamore in running the world’s richest league.
Scudamore, 59, is stepping down next month after 19 years at the helm. The new structure will see the league have a separate CEO and non-executive chairman again, with the latter position yet to be filled.
In a statement Dinnage said her new role “represents the pinnacle of professional sport and the opportunity to lead such a dynamic and inspirational organization is a great privilege.”
“With the support of clubs and the team, I look forward to extending the success of the league for many years to come.”
Although she is a Fulham season-ticket holder, Dinnage does not have experience within the football industry and her appointment highlights the Premier League’s thinking in terms of choosing someone with a broadcasting background as distinct from the game itself since most of its revenue comes from selling television rights.
She started her career at MTV Networks and has spent more than 20 years in the television industry.
“We had a very strong field, but Susanna was the outstanding choice given her track record in managing complex businesses through transformation and digital disruption,” said Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck, who played a role in the appointment. “She is a leading figure in the broadcasting industry, a proven business executive and a great developer of people.”
Dinnage will not have to negotiate any new rights deal with Sky until 2022 since the network signed a new deal in February worth £3.579 billion.
Possibly her greatest challenge will be appeasing the less affluent clubs who have been pushing for a greater slice of foreign television revenue.
She will also have to lay the groundwork for what happens when Britain leaves the European Union in March in terms of the free movement of players.
“Like many other organizations dependent on a combination of domestic and international talent, we are waiting to better understand what the political and regulatory landscape will be after the UK leaves the European Union,” the league said in a separate statement.
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