Susanna Dinnage: who is the Premier League’s new chief executive?
She will replace Richard Scudamore when he steps down next month
Susanna Dinnage has been named as the new chief executive of the Premier League in a decision that has surprised English football.
She will replace Richard Scudamore, who steps down at the end of next month after 19 years in the position.
“I am excited at the prospect of taking on this fantastic role,” says Dinnage, who arrives from media organisation Discovery, where she was global president of the Animal Planet channel.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“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.”
A female first
The appointment of Dinnage, a season-ticket holder at Fulham, represents a new chapter in the history of the Premier League. She will be the first woman to become chief executive, following reigns by Scudamore and before him, Rick Parry.
As the BBC notes, she is now “the most senior female leader in the world’s major professional sports”.
“We are very pleased to appoint such a capable leader to this important role,” said Bruce Buck, Chelsea’s chairman and chair of the Premier League’s nominations committee.
“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.”
Tough negotiator
According to BBC sports editor Dan Roan, Dinnage’s lack of experience in the football industry will be offset by her tough negotiating skills. That will be important in a world where sports audience habits are changing as traditional broadcasters are challenged by new digital outlets.
Roan says Dinnage will also need to contend with “the biggest clubs jostling for more of a share of overseas TV revenue... [and] keeping the cosmopolitan league’s billionaire owners unified will be a challenging one”.
Brexit battle
And then there’s the impact of Brexit, and what looks to be an impending battle between the Football Association and the Premier League clubs about a reduction in overseas players.
Ahead of a meeting to discuss the issue tomorrow, one Premier League club chairman, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Times: “Clubs are just not going to agree to go from being allowed 17 overseas players to 12, that is just too drastic.”
Media reaction to Dinnage’s appointment
The Guardian: “She will face a very different landscape to her predecessor, with traditional broadcast companies challenged by digital disruptors. She will also have to deal with a set of shareholders, the Premier League clubs, who are increasingly pushing for change.”
The Times: “Dinnage has revealed that she once wanted to be a zoologist. There will be times trying to keep the 20 clubs together that she feels like she is herding fat cats… a number of mid-ranking clubs are concerned that the big six will try to use Scudamore’s departure and the arrival of new leadership as a chance to flex muscles once more.”
The Daily Telegraph: “Dinnage’s appointment took the footballing world by surprise, but former colleagues said that she would be a ‘breath of fresh air’ for governing bodies currently dominated by grey men in blazers.”
The Sun: “She is arguably the most powerful person in British sport [and] fans will be keen to nudge Dinnage over ticket prices, bizarre kick-off times and safe standing.”
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Feds raid Diddy homes in alleged sex trafficking case
Speed Read Homeland Security raided the properties of hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump gets $289M break, first criminal trial date
Speed Read The former president's fraud bond has been reduced to $175 million from $464 million
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - March 26, 2024
Cartoons Tuesday's cartoons - the House GOP abandon ship, Joe Biden sets his stall, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Is this the year women take over March Madness?
Today's Big Question Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and other stars make the women's game more popular than ever
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
The NFL's concussion settlement has seemingly failed its players
Under the Radar The league promised to pay players who had suffered brain trauma. Allegedly, it has not happened.
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
College football has a major controversy. Will Congress get involved?
Talking Point Why Florida State was left out of the College Football Playoff
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published