Susanna Dinnage of Discovery is to be the new Premier League chief executive, replacing outgoing executive chairman Richard Scudamore.
Dinnage has been global president of Animal Planet, a channel owned by Discovery, having previously been president of Discovery Networks UK and Ireland.
She was announced as Scudamore’s replacement on Tuesday, when Premier League clubs had gathered for a meeting at the Premier League headquarters in London. Her official title will be ‘chief executive’ with the responsibility of Scudamore’s role split with a non-executive chair who is still to be appointed.
Bruce Buck, chairman of Chelsea and the Premier League’s Nominations Committee, said: ‘We are very pleased to appoint such a capable leader to this important role.
‘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.
‘She is a leading figure in the broadcasting industry, a proven business executive and a great developer of people. She is ideally suited to the role and we are confident she will be able to take the Premier League on to new heights.
‘Richard Scudamore, having provided exceptional stewardship for almost 20 years, will leave us at the end of the year in great shape and with an excellent executive team and board able to fully support Susanna.’
Dinnage, whose exact start date is still to be negotiated with Discovery, said: ‘I am excited at the prospect of taking on this fantastic role.
‘The Premier League means so much to so many people. It represents the pinnacle of professional sport and the opportunity to lead such a dynamic and inspirational organisation 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.’
In a feature she wrote in 2014 for campignlive, Dinnage revealed she is a Fulham fan.
Sportsmail reported earlier on Tuesday how England’s top-flight clubs had been left stunned by a request from Buck to contribute to a £5million golden handshake for outgoing Scudamore.
Buck called round the 20 clubs asking for them to each make a £250,000 donation ahead of Tuesday’s meeting.
Buck, who led the search for Scudamore’s replacement alongside Leicester chief executive Susan Whelan and Burnley chairman Mike Garlick, is known to have forged a close personal friendship with Scudamore since becoming Chelsea chairman 15 years ago.
While clubs recognise the fine job Scudamore has done during his 19 years at the helm of the Premier League, some were surprised by the bonus request given the salary and bonuses the 59-year-old has commanded in that time.
He earns a basic wage of £900,000 a year but receives closer to £2.5million with the bonuses he gets for negotiating the top flight’s multi-billion pound broadcasting deals.
Club officials were asked to attend the meeting at the Premier League headquarters in London on Tuesday afternoon and asked to dial in on a conference call if they were unable to make it at short notice.
Scudamore first joined the Premier League in 1999 and has been responsible for its meteoric growth in stature across the globe, becoming one of the most significant figures in English football in the process.
He has negotiated television deals worth billions, which in turn has allowed England’s major clubs to spend huge sums on buying players, as well as paying them lavish wages.
Scudamore gave an emotional speech when he announced in June that he would step down from his role as executive chairman.
‘It’s an absolute privilege to have been allowed to enjoy this role for so long,’ he said. ‘It is too much fun to be called a job.
‘I am sure (the PL’s broadcast partners) will forgive me for singling out Sky for special recognition.
‘Back in 1992 they were the catalyst for the start of the Premier League journey and have backed us all the way since.’
Last year, the Premier League ‘big six’ of Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham began pushing for a heftier share of the television revenue pot.
Top clubs would like to dictate Premier League business rather than let Scudamore, or his successor, call the shots in the way it has been the case for almost two decades.
Source: Dailymail
